The Troggs singer Reg Presley has died at the age of 71

Reg Presley, whose band The Troggs had many hits including ‘Wild Thing’, died on Monday

15:51 05 February 2013

Reg Presley, the frontman of the UK band The Troggs, has died aged 71-years-old. The rock singer is believed to have passed away at his home in Hampshire, England, on Monday. The news follows the artist’s recent ill health.

 

Reg, who was diagnosed with lung cancer, announced he was retiring in 2012 following his ill health.

 

He said on The Troggs website: “As you all know I was taken ill whilst doing a gig in Germany in December. During my stay in hospital tests showed that in fact I have lung cancer.

 

"I am receiving chemotherapy treatment and at the moment not feeling too bad.

 

"However I've had to call time on The Troggs and retire. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the cards and calls and for your love, loyalty and support over the years."

 

The Troggs, who first began around 50 years ago, had a number of hits during the 1960s including “Wild Thing”, “With a Girl Like You” and the popular song “Love Is All Around”. This track was later covered by Scottish pop band Wet Wet Wetin the 1990s, whose lead singer was Marti Pellow.

 

The song featured on the film ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’, the romantic comedy starring Hugh Grant, and remained in the number one position in the UK Singles Chart for a whopping 15 weeks.

 

During his life musician Reg, whose is understood to have been born with the name of Reginald Ball, published a book entitled ‘Wild Things They Don't Tell Us’ in 2002.

 

His band members included Pete Staples and Ronnie Bond among others. The Troggs had many albums during their time as a band, such as From Nowhere… The Troggs, Trogglodynamite and Athens Andover.