Sad news this morning as it has been announced that famous astrologer Mystic Meg has died at the age of 80.
Meg, whose real name was Margaret Lake, came to prominence during the 1980s and wrote horoscopes for The Sun newspaper for 23 years, soon becoming a household name.
She was born in Accrington, Lancashire of Romany descent and was taught astrology by her grandmother. However, she qualified as a teacher before beginning to work in newspapers, which led her to her role as astrologer for The Sun and News of the World.
She had been admitted to hospital last week suffering from flu, and died in the early hours of this morning.
The Sun's editor Victoria Newton described her as an "icon" and a "total legend" and recalled how "One of my favourite memories of Meg is when all the Spice Girls came to the office, just as they were riding high at number one. We planned a tour for them but all they wanted to do was meet Mystic Meg! You know you're a true icon when the only person Victoria Beckham is interested in is you."
Her agent paid tribute to her by saying "Without any question, she was Britain's most famous astrologer by a million miles. Nobody came close to Meg in that respect. She was followed by millions in this country and also around the world.
"She even became part of the English language - if a politician, somebody from showbiz or ordinary people in the street are asked a tricky question they will say 'Who do you think I am, Mystic Meg?' It shows what an impact she made."
