Robin Gibb passes away

Bee Gee dies aged 62, following a long battle with cancer...

09:45 21 May 2012

Robin Gibb has died at the age of 62.

The Bee Gees singer passed away on 20 May after a long battle with colon and liver cancer.

The star, who was born in Manchester, shot to fame in the 1960s as part of the Bee Gees, alongside his two brothers Maurice and Barry.

Gibb's family confirmed the sad news in a statement, which read:

"The family of Robin Gibb, of the Bee Gees, announce with great sadness that Robin passed away today following his long battle with cancer and intestinal surgery.

"The family have asked that their privacy is respected at this very difficult time."

Gibb had been diagnosed with cancer in 2011, before announcing in February that he had recovered.

In April, he suffered a pneumonia setback and fell into a coma. The star briefly defied the odds to become awake and responsive in hospital, but sadly passed away in May.

The Bee Gees formed in 1958 and won nine Grammys, with the trio's best-known hits including How Deep Is Your Love, Saturday Night Fever and Stayin' Alive.

The group sold millions of records and were inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame during a career which spanned six decades.

Gibb is survived by Barry, wife Dwina, daughters Melissa and Snow Robin, and sons Spencer and Robin-John.