Meat Loaf tributes pour in as celebrity fans mourn singer's death

Tributes have begun pouring in for Meat Loaf after the singer's death was announced this morning.

Bat Out of Hell singer Meat Loaf died on Thursday night aged 74 and his passing was announced by his family.

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Boy George gave a glimpse of Meat Loaf's fun-loving character as he shared his own meeting with the star.

He tweeted: "R.I.P Meatloaf. Love and prayers to all his family and close friends. He once turned me upside down in a Chinese Restaurant in St Johns Wood."

Speaking on Friday's Good Morning Britain, music producer Pete Waterman said: "Meat Loaf was just this larger than life character with a unique voice, that first album Bat Out of Hell was just amazing."

He added: "Meat Loaf was Meat Loaf, his size was part of the whole legend, it was his voice."

Sharing a sketch they had performed together, Stephen Fry tweeted: "I hope paradise is as you remember it from the dashboard light, Meat Loaf. Had a fun time performing a sketch with him on Saturday Live way back in the last century."

Singer Cher said she had “so much fun” with Meat Loaf when she worked with him on his 1981 album Dead Ringer.

In a tribute posted to Twitter, she added: “Am Very Sorry For His Family, Friends, & Fans.

“Am I imagining It, or Are Amazing Ppl In The Arts Dying every other Day.”

Piers Morgan tweeted: "RIP Meat Loaf, 74. One of rock music’s all-time great characters whose seminal iconic album Bat Out Of Hell is one of the biggest-selling records in history. A wondrously talented, flamboyant, funny, outrageous and rebellious chameleon. Sad news."

Singer Frank Turner shared a story of Meat Loaf's generous spirit as he tweeted: "Genuinely gutted about Meat Loaf. Enormous fan since I was a kid. A friend got him to do a video for my 39th birthday. It was 27 minutes long and hugely entertaining. One of a kind. RIP."

BBC radio DJ Jo Whiley added: "God I loved Bat Out of Hell. Soundtrack to my youth. Sad news RIP Meatloaf. Extraordinary voice Phenomenonal character."

Singer Rebecca Ferguson wrote: "So sad to hear about Meat Loaf I spent many days in my youth attempting to belt out ‘I’d do anything for love’ and always failing miserably to get the top notes! He was a great talent, thank you for your Art Rest in peace"

The Bat Out of Hell the Musical team said that they would be performing tonight's show dedicated to the star's memory.

In a statement, they said: "The company of Jim Steinman's Bat Out of Hell the Musical here in the UK is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of their great friend and producer, Meat Loaf. He was with us when the show first launched in London at the Coliseum and in Manchester at the Opera House back in 2016 and then came to the show at the Dominion Theatre in London on 25 July 2018.

"The current UK & Ireland Tour of the musical will perform this evening's show at the New Wimbledon Theatre in Meat's memory."

Labour MP Jess Phillips mentioned his film career as she tweeted: "Sad to hear about Meatloaf, he is the soundtrack to my childhood. I also don't want obits to forget his stellar role in Spice World! A legend."

The statement from Meat Loaf's family sharing their sad news said: "Our hearts are broken to announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away tonight with his wife Deborah by his side. Daughters Pearl and Amanda and close friends have been with him throughout the last 24 hours."

Watch: Meat Loaf performs I'd Do Anything For Love