READ MORE: 17 year old stabbed and man 'rugby tackled' by police at rave The musician went on to perform with breakaway group UB40 featuring Ali Campbell and Astro.
A statement on the band's official Twitter said: "We are absolutely devastated and completely heartbroken to have to tell you that our beloved Astro has today passed away after a very short illness. "The world will never be the same without him.
We ask you to please respect his family's privacy at this incredibly difficult time. " Astro was a member of UB40 from the late 1970s until 2013 when he left to team up with Campbell and keyboardist Mickey Virtue, who had previously quit.
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