Terry Hall, star of The Specials and Fun Boy Three, has died. 

The musician passed away at the age of 63 following a bout of illness, with a statement confirming his death.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing, following a brief illness, of Terry, our beautiful friend, brother and one of the most brilliant singers, songwriters and lyricists this country has ever produced,” it said. 

“Terry was a wonderful husband and father and one of the kindest, funniest, and most genuine of souls. His music and his performances encapsulated the very essence of life… the joy, the pain, the humour, the fight for justice, but mostly the love.

“He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him and leaves behind the gift of his remarkable music and profound humanity.

“Terry often left the stage at the end of The Specials’ life-affirming shows with three words… ‘Love Love Love’,” it concluded. “We would ask that everyone respect the family’s privacy at this very sad time.”

Following the news, Terry’s friend and Specials bandmate Horace Panter revealed the vocalist had been diagnosed with cancer shortly before his passing. 

In an extended post, he explained: “We had it all planned out. Make the album we were going to do in 2020 – a reggae album. Record in Los Angeles in November. We had the studio booked, flights paid for, accommodation sorted.

“This was in September. Terry e-mails everyone and says he’s in bed with a stomach bug and can’t do the first week of pre-production sessions. No big deal, we can knock everything back a week. We’re not due to fly out until November 4th. The next week, Terry is no better and is in hospital. There’s not much we can do except wait for him to get better.”

According to Horace, Terry was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which spread to his liver and led to him developing diabetes “due to his pancreas being attacked”. Plans to record were pushed back to March 2023 with Terry reportedly determined to keep his health battle private. However, his condition worsened earlier this month and, according to Horace, he spoke to his friend for the final time on December 17 – the day before he passed away. 

“The world has lost a unique voice and I have lost a good friend,” he said, closing out the post. 

After the news broke, Terry’s Specials and Fun Boy Three bandmate Neville Staple remembered the hitmaker, writing: “I was deeply saddened to hear about Terry Hall‘s passing on Sunday. We knew Terry had been unwell but didn’t realise how serious until recently.

“We had only just confirmed some 2023 joint music agreements together. This has hit me hard and must be extremely difficult for Terry’s wife and family. In the music world, people have many ups and downs, but I will hang onto the great memories of Terry and I, making history fronting The Specials and Fun Boy three together. Rest easy Terry Hall.”

Other stars to pay tribute include Bananarama, who collaborated with Fun Boy Three on the singles It Ain’t What You Do… and Really Saying Something.

“We are so saddened to hear of Terry’s passing. It was a phone call from him that changed our lives,” they penned. “It was a pleasure and a privilege to have known him. We will treasure the memories of the time we spent with this beautiful, talented and funny gentleman.”

Siobhan Fahey added: “Devastated! I can’t believe you’re gone, tell me it isn’t true. You were always there from the beginning – The Specials were AMAZING and then you gave us Fun Boy Three and then you called us and made us pop stars then came back into my life again and again in your funny dark clever way – brilliant, beautiful and unique.”

The Go-Go’s star Jane Wiedlin, who co-wrote their classic Our Lips Are Sealed with Terry, also remembered the star, sharing: “Gutted to hear of the passing of Terry Hall. He was a lovely, sensitive, talented and unique person. Our extremely brief romance resulted in the song Our Lips Are Sealed, which will forever tie us together in music history. Terrible news to hear this.”

Belinda Carlisle also penned: “RIP Terry Hall… very sad to hear the news of his passing -Way too young. He and his band The Specials played a big part in the success of The GoGos and besides that he was just a kind and unique man.”

The Specials were formed in Hall’s home city of Coventry in 1977 and scored seven consecutive UK Top 10 hits before Terry left to form Fun Boy Three in 1981.

He rejoined the band for a reunion tour in 2008 and scored their first-ever No. 1 album with 2019’s ‘Encore’.