Sad news this morning, as it has been revealed that Motorhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister has died. He was 70.

The rock icon, born Ian Fraser Kilmister, had been suffering from ill health in recent years, even being forced to stop playing mid-gig earlier in the year.

He succumbed to his illness - an 'extremely aggressive cancer' that he had only been diagnosed with on St. Stephen's Day - yesterday.

The band posted a message on their official Facebook page that read:

"There is no easy way to say this…our mighty, noble friend Lemmy passed away today after a short battle with an extremely aggressive cancer. He had learnt of the disease on December 26th, and was at home, sitting in front of his favorite video game from The Rainbow which had recently made it’s way down the street, with his family.

We cannot begin to express our shock and sadness, there aren’t words.

We will say more in the coming days, but for now, please…play Motörhead loud, play Hawkwind loud, play Lemmy’s music LOUD.
Have a drink or few.
Share stories.
Celebrate the LIFE this lovely, wonderful man celebrated so vibrantly himself.
HE WOULD WANT EXACTLY THAT.

Ian ‘Lemmy’ Kilmister
1945 -2015
Born to lose, lived to win."

His friends and contemporaries have been paying tribute to him on Twitter, some of which can be seen below.

R.I.P.