Shane MacGowan has paid tribute to The Pogues' bass player, Darryl Hunt, following news of his death this week.

"I am very very sorry that Darryl has passed away," MacGowan wrote in an Instagram post. "We will all miss him, he was a really great person and friend and a great bass player. May he spend eternity doing whatever he wants to do in eternal bliss, and blessings to all of the Pogues and to his family and friends. Love Shane."

 

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A post shared by Shane MacGowan (@shanemacgowanofficial)

Hunt joined The Pogues as bass guitarist in 1986, following the departure of the band's original bassist, Cait O'Riordan. News of the English musician's death was shared by The Pogues' official Twitter account yesterday.

We are saddened beyond words. Our Darryl passed away yesterday afternoon in London.

Darryl Gatwick Hunt 04/05/1950 - 08/08/2022

‘I know you want to hear me catch my breath
I love you till the end’ pic.twitter.com/9TZWx8eLLc

— The Pogues (@poguesofficial) August 9, 2022

In their statement, The Pogues shared a line from 'Love You 'Till The End', which the bass guitarist wrote for their 1996 album, Pogue Mahone.

Many others have paid tribute to the bass player. "This is wretched," Hunt's former bandmate, Spider Stacy, wrote in response to the sad news. "See you around the way, Daz."

Journalist and author Chas Newkey-Burden also paid tribute.

"Oh no. Between the ages of 14 and 21, it seemed like all I did was look forward to seeing the Pogues, see the Pogues, and remember seeing the Pogues," he wrote on Twitter. "And he was always there, swinging his bass from side to side, with that boyish air about him. Lots of love to his friends & family."

Screenwriter and director Declan Lawn said that he will play 'Love You 'Till The End' "a few times today" in Hunt's honour.

"What a song," he added. "Imagine leaving just that behind for future generations to be transported by, never mind everything else. Pure beauty."

Hunt was born in Christchurch, Dorset in May 1950. Before he began playing bass in the Pogues in 1986, he was part of the pub rock band Plummet Airlines and the Favourites. The first album he appeared on with the band was If I Should Fall From Grace with God, which was released in 1988 and featured the Christmas hit 'Fairytale of New York'.

Hunt featured in their material until their last album, Pogue Mahone, in 1996.