The Smiths bassist Andy Rourke dies aged 59

'Andy will be remembered as a kind and beautiful soul by those who knew him and as a supremely gifted musician by music fans'

Andy Rourke of The Smiths, on left, has passed away after a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer.

Musician Johnny Marr has paid tribute to his The Smiths bandmate Andy Rourke who has died aged 59.

The band's guitarist, Marr shared the sad news on social media, stating that Rourke passed away following a "lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer". He was the bassist for the indie rock band which was formed in Manchester in 1982 and went on to become one of the most influential acts of the decade.