Steve Bronski’s carer has claimed the musician died in his flat following a fire.
Last week, it was confirmed the Bronski Beat co-founder had passed away, although no cause of death was given at the time.
Now, Josephine Samuel, who had cared for Bronski after he suffered a stroke three years ago, has revealed further details of his tragic death.
According Samuel, the star lived in a flat in Soho, central London, which was the scene of a fatal fire on Tuesday, December 9.
She told The Guardian: “Because he had suffered a stroke, it was difficult for him to get up. He died from smoke inhalation.”
“I came to visit him the day before he died. His death is like a nightmare to me, because I’ve been by his side for years.
“We are waiting to register the death before his body is taken to Scotland for burial.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the London fire brigade confirmed a man was rescued from a first floor flat at the scene by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and he later died in hospital.
They did not confirm his identity, but a spokesperson for the Metropolitan police stated that as the fire was deemed “non-suspicious”.
The star formed the group Bronski Beat in 1983 with singer Jimmy Somerville and Larry Steinbachek, with the former confirming his passing.
He tweeted: “Sad to hear Steve Bronski has died. He was a talented and a very melodic man.
“Working with him on songs and the one song that changed our lives and touched so many other lives, was a fun and exciting time.
“Thanks for the melody Steve.”
The trio formed when Bronski and Steinbachek met Somerville through the ‘Framed Youth – Revenge of the Teenage Perverts’ documentary, which was made for an LGBTQ arts festival.
Debut single Smalltown Boy became an instant synth-pop classic, reaching No. 3 in the charts, and their debut album, ‘Age of Consent’, followed in 1984. Its title was a reference to the difference in the legal ages for gay and straight sex.
Somerville left to form The Communards, but Bronski Beat continued and returned to the UK Top 10 with Hit That Perfect Beat in 1985.
In 2017, a revitalised line-up – with Bronski as the only remaining original member – released their first new album in 22 years.
Steinbachek died in 2017.
