Steve Strange dies

[RoadWarrior]

Steve Strange, the lead singer of 80s pop group Visage, has died.

The 55-year-old Welshman passed away from a heart attack in Egypt, his record label has confirmed.

August Day Recordings label manager Marc Green revealed the star's death came as a shock to all.

"We are extremely saddened to announce that Steve Strange died at 11.15am local time on Thursday February 12 in Sharm el-Sheikh International Hospital, Egypt," Green said in a statement.

'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."

Steve was at the forefront of the New Romantic music scene and many of his fellow pop stars from that era were quick to react to the news of his sudden death.

Billy Idol tweeted: "Very sad to hear of my friend Steve Strange passing, RIP mate," while Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon cited his friend as being "the leading edge of New Romantic", adding, "God Bless him."

Steve's agent, Pete Bassett, remembered his long-time pal and client as "hard-working, very amusing and lovable". He also made special mention of the daring "fashion trends" for which he was well known.

'Up until last year he was putting together a book of fashion styles based on the New Romantic movement and it comes as a great shock," Bassett revealed.

'We understood that he had certain health problems but nothing we knew was life threatening. His friends and family are totally shocked, we had no idea anything like this was likely to happen."

It was previously reported that he was admitted to hospital in his native Wales on December 3 last year with "breathing difficulties".