Monkees singer Davy Jones dies of suspected heart attack aged 66

It is believed the Manchester-born singer and actor died of a heart attack.

Jones, who found fame as the frontman of the band put together to star in their own TV show, had an early start in showbusiness when he appeared as Ena Sharples’s grandson in Coronation Street.

Three of the band’s original members – Jones, Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork – got back together last year to play a series of gigs.

The band had nine top 40 hits including I’m A Believer and Pleasant Valley Sunday but were often ridiculed for the manufactured nature of their career.

They eventually proved themselves, writing more of their own songs and starring in 1960s film Head with Jack Nicholson.

The band’s fourth original member, Mike Nesmith, who went on to record a series of critically acclaimed country albums, did not take part in the reunion.

Jones, who was 66 when he died, also appeared in Z Cars. A starring role in a stage production of Oliver! took him to Broadway and while in America he auditioned for The Monkees.