Singer Gerry Marsden has died, aged 78

The lead singer of the sixties band, who found fame in the Merseybeat scene, died after a short illness.

The band's hits also included Ferry Cross The Mersey, while their version of You'll Never Walk Alone became a football anthem for Marsden's home club of Liverpool.

His friend, broadcaster Pete Price, wrote on Instagram: "It's with a very heavy heart, after speaking to the family, that I have to tell you the legendary Gerry Marsden MBE... has sadly passed away.

"I'm sending all the love in the world to Pauline and his family. You'll Never Walk Alone."

He said Marsden suffered "a short illness which was an infection in his heart".

You'll Never Walk Alone enjoyed a resurgence during the pandemic after a cover of the song, featuring Captain Sir Tom Moore, reached number one in the UK singles chart.

It came after The Crowd, a charity supergroup formed specifically to produce a charity record in light of the Bradford City stadium fire, in which 56 people died on May 11 1985. The group consisted of singers, actors, television personalities and others after Marsden decided to make a charity record to aid the families of the victims of the disaster.

The re-recording of the 1963 hit "You'll Never Walk Alone" from the broadway musical Carousel, also a 'football anthem' for Liverpool supporters, entered the UK charts at number 52, leaping to number four, the following week and then reaching Number 1 on June 1, 1985.

Gerry and the Pacemakers enjoyed sell-out tours around the world.

In 1962, Beatles manager Brian Epstein signed up the band and their first three releases reached number one in 1963 - How Do You Do It, I Like It and You'll Never Walk Alone.

The group split in 1967 and Marsden pursued a solo career before the band reformed in 1974 to tour the world - a tour they later repeated.

Frankie Goes To Hollywood singer Holly Johnson, who is from Liverpool and covered Marsden's song Ferry Across The Mersey, was among those paying tribute.

"So sorry to hear about the passing of Gerry Marsden," he wrote on Twitter. "What a Liverpool Legend. So glad I met him. #ferryacrossthemersey #youllneverwalkalone"

And Liverpool FC tweeted: "It is with such great sadness that we hear of Gerry Marsden's passing. Gerry's words will live on forever with us. You'll Never Walk Alone."

Marsden was awarded an MBE for his charity work in 2003. He married wife Pauline in 1965 and the couple had two daughters.