PIERS Morgan has launched a campaign to get The Pogues to No 1 at Christmas following the death of front man Shane MacGowan.
The musical legend died “peacefully” on Thursday morning at the age of 65, with his wife by his side.
Shane, who was best known for hit festive song Fairytale Of New York, had been due to celebrate his 66th birthday on Christmas Day.
Paying tribute today, Piers wrote: “RIP Shane MacGowan, 65. Irish punk legend, genius Pogues singer/songwriter, and hell-raiser extraordinaire. His favourite joke was: ‘I was given six weeks to live, about 25 years ago!’
“Let’s make Fairytale of New York the Christmas No1 as a tribute. (He was born on Xmas Day).”
Fairytale of New York spent five weeks at Number 1 in the Irish charts, when it was released in 1987.
However it never secured the Christmas number one in the UK charts.
Despite that it re-enters the Official Christmas Singles Chart Top 20 every year.
Meanwhile, tributes have flooded in from elsewhere – musician and singer Peter “Spider” Stacy paid his respects to his fellow bandmate, sharing an image of him performing on a stage.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Stacy wrote: “‘O Captain! My Captain! Our fearful trip is done..'”
The line was accompanied by a black and white image of MacGowan smiling on stage.
Stacy co-founded The Pogues along with MacGowan, Jem Finer and James Fearnley and appeared on all of their recordings.
Nick Cave paid his respects writing saying: “A true friend and the greatest songwriter of his generation. A very sad day.”
Dermot O’Leary posted a lengthy tribute on his Instagram, writing: “The smile, the snarl, the beauty, the heartbreak, the longing, all under the waves of punkish, rage, fervour and passion.
“Feelings of grief for someone you’ve never met but whose art and work mean so much to you and have played an elemental part in shaping your identity are strange, muted.”
He went on to say how much the singer meant to him being second-generation Irish and revealed The Pogues was the first gig he ever went to.
A statement shared on behalf of his wife, Victoria Mary Clarke, his sister Siobhan and father, Maurice, on The Pogues’ official Instagram said: “It is with the deepest sorrow and heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of Shane MacGowan.
“Shane died peacefully at 3am this morning (30 November, 2023) with his wife Victoria and family by his side.
“Prayers and the last rites were read which gave comfort to his family.
“He is survived by his wife Victoria, his sister Siobhan and his father, Maurice, family and a large circle of friends.
“Further details will be announced shortly but the family ask for privacy at this very sad time”.
