Chas Hodges' family confirm his cause of death
Update: Chas Hodges' family and loved ones have thanked fans for their support, and also issued a statement confirming his cause of death.
The musician, one half of duo Chas and Dave, died on Saturday, September 22.
"Chas's wife Joan, his children and Dave have been overwhelmed by the many thousands of messages of love and support and would like to thank everyone for those," a family statement read.
"For the record, we would like to clarify that Chas did not die of cancer. The doctor's final diagnostic was pneumonia and the cancer was under control at the time of death.
"We feel this is important to state as Chas wanted to bring comfort and hope to people suffering with cancer through his own experience with the disease, and it would mean a lot to him that the hope remains."
Original story: Chas Hodges, one half of pop rock duo Chas and Dave, has died at the age of 74, it's been confirmed.
The sad news was posted on the Chas and Dave official Twitter account, which shared a statement confirming that Chas passed away from organ failure in the early hours of Saturday morning (September 22).
"It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of our very own Chas Hodges," the statement read.
"Despite receiving successful treatment for oesophageal cancer recently, Chas suffered organ failure and passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of this morning."
It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of our very own Chas Hodges. Despite receiving successful treatment for oesophageal cancer recently, Chas suffered organ failure and passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of this morning. pic.twitter.com/bwxqfHUjUg
- Chas And Dave (@chas_dave) September 22, 2018
In a Facebook post, the statement also added: "We would like to thank our fans for their fantastic support and goodwill at this difficult time."
Chas and Dave first formed in the 1970s and became synonymous with the music style rockney - mixing rock and cockney. They are perhaps best known for their songs 'Rabbit' and 'Gertcha'.
Chas shared his cancer diagnosis with fans back in February 2017, which was described to be in the early stages, with the duo rescheduling gigs so that he could undergo treatment immediately.
Last month, Chas and Dave also announced that they were cancelling all of their forthcoming shows due to Chas' "extreme illness".
"In my life as a musician/entertainer I would say the most depressing thing to have to do is to have to cancel a gig or gigs," Chas said in a statement at the time.
"Fortunately, throughout my career of thousands of gigs with Dave or in other bands these times have been very few & far between, and only extreme illness in the past (and I mean extreme) illness has prompted me/us to have to make this decision."
Following the news, several celebrities and bands paid tribute to the musician on social media, including actor John Challis, comedian Rob Beckett and Chas' favourite football club Tottenham Hotspur.
Bloody hell! For Gawd’s sake,not Chas.What is going on?
- John Challis (@BeingBoycie) September 22, 2018
So sad. Such a legend. Together with Dave he wrote the soundtrack to my childhood. RIP Chas Hodges. https://t.co/CnG1A1TkhR
- Rob Beckett (@robbeckettcomic) September 22, 2018
Everyone at the Club is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of one of our own, Chas Hodges. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/AMB7pWHUa4
- Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 22, 2018
Sad news indeed. An excellent musician and songwriter. #chashodgeshttps://t.co/liPzHM9gei
- Right Said Fred (@TheFreds) September 22, 2018
We’re so sad to hear about the death of Chas Hodges of @chas_dave. He’s been a friend of ours for countless years and will be sadly missed. pic.twitter.com/J4dJ2XEOiN
- BBC Radio London (@BBCRadioLondon) September 22, 2018
What a shame. When they were on Tiswas they were always kind,respectful and played live. RIP Chas. https://t.co/R85oEQFrnt
- Lenny Henry (@LennyHenry) September 22, 2018
Sad news. The very least we could do in Chas' memory is make "Ain't No Pleasing You" the new national anthem. Belting tune. https://t.co/nadJD6Wjhm
- Adam Kay (@amateuradam) September 22, 2018
GOBSMACKED,my good friend Chas has passed away in the early hours of this morning,totally shocked. An absolute gentleman and Spurs through and through, his legacy will live on in the Spurs family forever,thoughts and prayers with his family and friends,Love you Chas RIP MY FRIEND
- Micky Hazard (@1MickyHazard) September 22, 2018
Had the pleasure of meeting Chas from Chas & Dave at a charity do once. He was surprisingly down to earth, and VERY funny.
- Limmy (@DaftLimmy) September 22, 2018
I don't know if I've ever had as much shameless fun at a gig as last time I saw Chas & Dave. And Chas Hodges in the atrium of Alexander Palace was way better than The Libertines (who booked him to be there). He also played on any number of Joe Meek classics. What a guy. R.I.P.
- Simon Price (@simon_price01) September 22, 2018
RIP Chas Hodges. The boogie woogie keyboard sound of my youth. https://t.co/EwGRpKhcQb
- edgarwright (@edgarwright) September 22, 2018
ChasHodgesRIP worked with Chas & Dave loads of times in the 1980's and had a good laugh with them every time. I can still remember I was always driving home from working with them singing Rabbit Rabbit or London Girls pic.twitter.com/zZUbtEgtej
- Frank Bruno MBE (@frankbrunoboxer) September 22, 2018
Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
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