Designer McQueen found dead

British fashion designer Alexander McQueen has been found dead after apparently committing suicide at his London home, sources said today.

The 40-year-old fashion designer - whose celebrity fans include Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell - was found dead at his London home, just days after the death of his beloved mother and three years after his close friend Isabella Blow took her life.

A source at his London office confirmed to the Mail Online: "It is a tragic loss. We are not making a comment at this time out of respect for the McQueen family."

McQueen - who was born in London's East End - was named British Designer of the Year on four occasions between 1996 and 2003 and made clothes for a whole range of high-profile stars, including Britain's Prince Charles.

He was also awarded a CBE as well as being named International Designer of the Year at the Council of Fashion Designer Awards.

Late style icon Isabella - who killed herself in May 2007 after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer - was widely credited with discovering him as a young designer and helping him on the way to his global success.

However, McQueen - who was openly gay and once described himself as the "pink sheep of the family" - was forced to deny rumours there was a rift between the pair at the time of her tragic death.

He said: "These people just don't know what they're talking about. They don't know me. They don't know my relationship with Isabella.

"People can talk; you can ask her sisters.... That part of the industry, they should stay away from my life, or mine and Isabella's life. What I had with Isabella was completely disassociated from fashion, beyond fashion."