Roxette singer Marie Fredriksson dies aged 61

Roxette’s Marie Fredriksson has died at the age of 61 after a 17-year battle with cancer, her manager has confirmed.

She scored global hits as the lead singer of Roxette with songs including It Must Have Been Love and Joyride.

Fredriksson was born in Sweden in 1958 where her music career kicked off in Halmstad upon meeting eventual Roxette bandmate Per Gessle.

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Having started out as a solo artist, Roxette came to be in 1986, with the single The Look from their second album launching them to international success three years later.

Gessle said of her death: "Time goes by so quickly. It’s not that long ago we spent days and nights in my tiny apartment in Halmstad, listening to music we loved, sharing impossible dreams. And what a dream we eventually got to share!

"Thank you, Marie, thanks for everything. You were an outstanding musician, a master of the voice, an amazing performer. Thanks for painting my black and white songs in the most beautiful colours. You were the most wonderful friend for over 40 years.

"I’m proud, honoured and happy to have been able to share so much of your time, talent, warmth, generosity and sense of humour. All my love goes out to you and your family. Things will never be the same."

In 2002, it was discovered that Fredriksson had a brain tumour and she subsequently spent three years receiving treatment.

She returned to the stage in 2008 and later planned a sold out comeback tour across Europe.

But in 2016 her health was thought to be at risk again as doctors advised her to stop touring.

Fredriksson is survived by husband Mikael Bolyos and her two children Josefin and Oscar.