Pete Shelley, lead singer of the punk band Buzzcocks, has died aged 63. His bandmates confirmed the death on Thursday (December 6), and the cause was given as a suspected heart attack.

In a statement, the band said it confirmed with great sadness the death of Shelley, described as one of the UK's most influential and prolific songwriters and co-founder of the seminal original punk band.

According to the statement, his music inspired generations of musicians over a career spanning five decades, with the Buzzcocks and as a solo artist, and he was held in the highest regard by the music industry and by fans around the world.