Hot Chocolate's Errol Brown dies at the age of 71

[dutchman]

Hot Chocolate frontman Errol Brown has died at the age of 71.

The singer's manager Phil Dale confirmed today (May 6) that Brown passed away at home in the Bahamas.

Brown had suffered from liver cancer.

Dale described Brown as "a wonderful gentleman" and added: "There was always music around wherever he was. I've been with him in the middle of Australia and he has got an idea for a song and started writing."

The singer's career kicked off in 1969 with a cover version of 'Give Peace a Chance', which was released on The Beatles' Apple label.

Originally given the name The Hot Chocolate Band by a secretary at the company, the group later became Hot Chocolate.

Hot Chocolate released their debut single 'Love Is Life' in 1970, reaching number six in the charts and sparking a run of hit singles over the next 15 years, including 'Emma', 'A Child's Prayer', 'You Sexy Thing', 'So You Win Again' and 'It Started with a Kiss'.

Brown left the band in 1985 to spend more time with his family, but returned to music for solo tours in 1990 and 1993.

He helped promote 'You Sexy Thing' for The Full Monty, the track featuring heavily in the 1997 movie.

The track re-entered the charts at number 6 and Hot Chocolate Greatest Hits went top ten on the back of the song's renewed success.

Brown performed the single on Top of the Pops and returned the following year when a re-release of 'It Started with a Kiss' reached number 18.

He was made an MBE in 2003 for services to popular music, and the following year he won the Ivor Novello Award for outstanding contribution to British music.

Brown retired from music back in 2009 after a farewell tour.

"I would like to thank you for coming out in large numbers right across the UK to once again show your love and support," he said after the tour.

"The atmosphere at the concerts were the best ever and you played your part in making me realise just how wrong it would have been to have just drifted away and not say goodbye. The love I felt at each concert will stay in my heart forever. I wish you love peace and happiness in your lives. Love You, Errol x"