Welsh 1980s icon Steve Strange dies

Visage bassist Steve Barnacle has paid tribute to friend and former band member Steve Strange, saying he was always 'proud to be Welsh'.

He added that he was pleased Steve managed to play a gig in Cardiff, which was always one of his ambitions.

The sister of Welsh 1980s icon Steve Strange has spoken exclusively to ITV News to pay tribute to him.

Speaking to our reporter Lynn Courtney, Tanya Harrington said: "he was a proper charmer. Very loving, very sensitive. We've had some brilliant times. He is my world. It's going to be awfully hard without him - but he'll be remembered by everybody."

New Romantic pioneer Steve Strange has died of a heart attack in Egypt at the age of 55, his record label said.

The Welsh pop singer found fame in the 1980s as frontman for Visage whose best known hit was Fade To Grey.

Marc Green, label manager at August Day Recordings, said: "We are extremely saddened to announce that Steve Strange died at 11.15 local time on Thursday February 12 in Sharm el-Sheikh International Hospital, Egypt.

"Steve died in his sleep of heart failure. Steve's family, band members and friends are all distraught at this sudden news of his untimely death. Steve's family request privacy at this extremely difficult time."

Strange also managed the Blitz Club in Soho, central London, a focal point for the New Romantic movement.

Music video copyright of Blitz Club Records

A Swansea singer will seem her dreams come true this evening.

Lauren Du Vall, who works at a local school has got her big break with 80s star Steve Strange at the Cardiff Glee Club.

She'll be joining the lineup of his New Romantic band Visage.

Lynn Courtney meets them.