“His music lives on”: Legendary UK rocker dies aged 75
Game of Thrones actor and guitarist Wilko Johnson has died aged 75.
The beloved actor played Ser Ilyn Payne in the popular series but had found fame earlier as guitarist in the band Dr Feelgood.
His devastated band mates released a statement announcing the heartbreaking news.
“This is the announcement we never wanted to make, & we do so with a very heavy heart: Wilko Johnson has died,” the statement read.
“He passed away at home on Monday 21st November. Thank you for respecting the family’s privacy at this very sad time. RIP Wilko Johnson.”
Before his rise to fame, Johnson worked as an English teacher before forming a band with some of his friends.
The group rose to fame and eventually Johnson was cast as Ser Ilyn Payne in Game of Thrones in 2011.
He was initially meant to be a guest star in the first season but reappeared in the second season.
Unfortunately he was phased out of the show following a terminal pancreatic cancer diagnosis in 2013 and was given only 10 months to live.
"I suddenly found myself in a position where nothing matters anymore," Johnson told the Associated Press in 2013.
"I'm a miserable so-and-so normally. ... I'd be worrying about the taxman or all the things that we worry about that get in the way of the real things.
“And suddenly it doesn't matter. All of that doesn't matter.
"You walk down the street and you feel intensely alive. You're, 'Oh, look at that leaf!′ You're looking around and you think, 'I'm alive. Ain't it amazing?'"
Johnson is survived by his sons Simon and Matthew and grandson Dylan.
Image: Getty