Paul Ryder: Happy Mondays founding member found dead hours before festival performance

The Happy Mondays founding member Paul Ryder has died suddenly aged 58.

The bass player - who was the brother of frontman Shaun Ryder - was found dead on Friday, only hours before the band were due to play at Kubix Festival in Sunderland.

Shaun, 59, and Paul were the original founders of the seminal indie band whose hits include Step On and Loose Fit.

Tributes are pouring in to “legend” Paul, with loved ones saying he will be “forever missed”.

On the group’s official Facebook page, a tribute read: “The Ryder family and Happy Mondays band members are deeply saddened and shocked to say that Paul Ryder passed away this morning.

“A true pioneer and legend. He will be forever missed. We thank you for respecting the privacy of all concerned at this time.”

The circumstances of Ryder’s death are not known.

His youngest son Chico was diagnosed with cancer aged just ten.

As well as the The Happy Mondays, he also appeared in a film called Losing It.

He also had a role in a film about the band called 24 Hour Party People, where he played a gangster.