Tributes paid as dance music star Robert Miles dies at 47

DJ and dance music star Robert Miles has died at the age of 47, it has been reported.

The Swiss-born Italian artist, who scored an international number one hit in 1996 with Children and later won a Brit award, is said to have died from cancer.

Pete Tong and Boy George are among those who have paid tribute to the DJ, whose real name was Roberto Concina.

Miles' friend and executive producer Joe T Vannelli confirmed his death to the Press Association, saying: "Yes man, (it) is a tragedy."

The specialist dance music website Edm Identity was the first to report the news, according to Corriere Della Sera.

It said his death, on his home island of Ibiza, had been caused by a disease. Italian newspaper La Repubblica reported that he had cancer.

Children reached number one in 12 countries and spent 17 weeks in the UK chart, peaking at number two, despite sales of over 600,000.

Pete Tong tweeted: "Sad to hear Robert Miles passing. RIP thanks for the music."

Boy George wrote: "RIP Robert Miles. Very sad news."

Former Radio One DJ Judge Jules ‏ added: "Deeply saddened to hear about the loss of a true dance music legend #RobertMiles".

Children has been hailed as the track that brought the dance music style 'trance' into the mainstream.

Other tracks from his debut album Dreamland, Fable and One and One, failed to achieve the success of his first release but the former was included on the soundtrack of the movie Ever After.

Music from his third album Organik, released in 2001, was also featured in several Hollywood films.