Founding Member of Huge 80s Band Dies Aged 66 Following Parkinson's Fight — And Days After He Married Long-Time Love
Nov. 11 2024, Published 12:54 p.m. ET
A founding member of British pop band Dexys Midnight Runners has died.
RadarOnline.com can reveal keyboardist Andy Leek passed away aged 66 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.
Days before his death on November 3, Leek married his longtime girlfriend Deborah Smith Lawrence on October 30.
Lawrence announced Leek's death in a heartbreaking Facebook post.
She wrote: "The poet Mary Oliver wrote 'Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable'. And the unimaginable has happened.
"My beautiful Andy left us on Sunday November 3."
His partner revealed the singer-songwriter died in hospice, adding: "Mercifully he was held safe at Goscote Hospice, which is the most peaceful place I have known in my entire life."
Leek's wife went on to say he "received truly compassionate and loving care" from the employees at Goscote Hospice.
She added: "I was with him, by his side in those most fragile last moments and he died as he lived, courageously.
"He was by turns strong and gentle, funny and vulnerable, freedom-loving, fiercely creative, passionate and intelligent.
"Yet always so immensely loving, generous and authentic."
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The Come on Eileen keyboardist was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2008 when he was just 49-years-old.
Lawrence reflected on how Leek handled the devastating diagnosis, revealing: "His response to his diagnosis? To play music and to craft song.
"The album Waking Up the World was written in that maelstrom. I am grateful beyond words for the team at Derby who are exemplary in every way."
She continued to express gratitude: "Fiona, Caroline, Clare, Suzanne, Louise, Rob, Kaanthan. All of you, I pray you know how much your care meant to us both and that Andy loved you all.
"As people in our world hear the news, they tell me how much they loved him.
"He was a real character and they were inspired by the way he faced down his condition with consummate grace and grit."
While Leek and Lawerence were together for 35, she explained because of their "bohemian souls" they "felt no need for the convention of marriage". However, the couple finally decided to tie the knot and "were planning a Christmas wedding".
She added: "Tragically this was not to be and we were married on October 30 at Walsall Manor.
"I cannot convey how bittersweet this is, to have married and to have lost the love of my life within one week."
Her emotion post continued: "Equally I have no words to convey the shock and the sorrow I feel.
"Yet I have the enduring love and a lifetime of the most amazing memories of being with such an exquisite man.
"My soulmate, my husband and my best friend. Andy’s incredible talent and musical legacy as a poet, songwriter, musician and a world class singer will endure."
Lawrence concluded her tribute to her late husband: "This magic is his gift to us all so please do as he bids, listen with an open mind and an open heart.
"God Bless You my darling. I am heartbroken but honoured to have been your woman, your best friend and your wife."
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