Family of Shane MacGowan asks for privacy as fans hope to secure Christmas No 1
A candle burns next to a photograph of The Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan at the Mansion House, in Dublin, after a book of condolence was open by the Lord Mayor of Dublin. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
The family of Shane MacGowan have asked for privacy as they grieve their loss.
The Pogue's frontman passed away on Thursday with his wife and family by his side.
He had been unwell for a long time and had been discharged from hospital just one week before his death.
Last year on New Year's Eve, he revealed he was diagnosed with encephalitis in a video posted to social media.
The has reported that the iconic singer died from pneumonia.
MacGowan's death notice said: "It is with the deepest sorrow and heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of Shane MacGowan RIP."
The funeral details have yet to be announced.
MacGowan is predeceased by his mother Therese and survived by his wife Victoria Mary, his sister Siobhan, and his father Maurice.
Since the news of his death, there has been an outpouring of grief from family, friends, and fans the world over.
Fans have started campaigning to get one of MacGowan's most famous songs, 'Fairytale of New York' to number one for Christmas.
MacGowan would have turned 66 on December 25.
The song is the clear 1/5 favourite for the Christmas number one in Ireland, according to Ladbrokes.
President Michael D Higgins said “some form of destiny” led the singer to write 'Fairytale Of New York' after being born on Christmas Day.
Mr Higgins added that it had been a “great honour” to present the singer with a lifetime achievement award at the National Concert Hall in Dublin in January 2018 to mark MacGowan’s 60th birthday.
Moya Brennan, a singer with the Irish folk band Clannad, described MacGowan as a humble man who was quite shy.
“All the accolades he had, he was quite humble about it,” she told BBC Radio Ulster.
She said it was “quite extraordinary” that he had not been to the Big Apple before he wrote 'Fairytale Of New York'.
“He was one in a million. He really was unique,” she said.
“The fact that he was an incredible storywriter, songwriter, makes it very special.
“I was in to see him (in hospital) just a couple of weeks ago and would you believe his spirits were still there even though he was quite frail, and he was looking forward to going home for Christmas.”
