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Conor McGregor and The Script lead tributes as Aslan singer Christy Dignam dies aged 63-Kitty Chrisp-Entertainment – Metro
‘It is hard to believe that he has left us.’
Christy Dignam died aged 63 after a decade-long battle with amyloidosis (Picture: Cody Glenn/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Tributes are flooding in after Aslan frontman Christy Dignam died aged 63 earlier today.
The late singer – known for hits including Crazy World and This Is – died ‘peacefully’ after a long battle with rare disease amyloidosis.
Dignam was diagnosed with the condition – which affects the organs – back in 2013.
Despite receiving regular chemotherapy, the Dubliner continued to sing with the band and was even due to perform this year before his condition deteriorated.
The musician was confirmed to be receiving palliative care in January of this year.
His death was announced by daughter Kiera on Tuesday, saying he had died after a ‘courageously long-fought battle, surrounded by his family.’
She wrote in a statement: ‘On behalf of my family, it is with a broken heart that we convey the news of my father’s passing, Christy Dignam.
Dignam and his band Aslan re-released their hit song Crazy World amid the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 (Picture: Independent News and Media/Getty Images)
The star died ‘peacefully’ at home (Picture: Artur Widak/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock)
‘Dad peacefully left us where he wanted to, at home today 4pm Tuesday, June 13th 2023, after a courageously long-fought battle, surrounded by his family.’
‘Let us all hold him in our hearts and cherish the remarkable life of a talented singer, great storyteller and amazing person,’ she added.
‘We thank you so much for your love and support shown to us. Kathryn, Kiera, Darren, Cian, Ava, Jake and our extended family.’
She went on to ask for the family to be given privacy during this ‘immensely painful period.’
Now the tributes are flooding in from the music world and his native Ireland.
Irish band The Script posted a statement on their Twitter page mourning the loss of their ‘friend and hero’.
They said: ‘We’re devastated to hear the news about our friend and hero, Christy Dignam: ‘We were blessed to share the stage with @OfficialAslan Christy in Dublin. We’ve lost a Legend, one of a kind, our thoughts and prayers are with his family RIP Christy. Danny & Glen.’
Mrs Brown’s Boys actor Rory Cowan said his heart was ‘very, very heavy’ following the sad news his ‘old pal’ had died.
‘My heart is very heavy,’ he began, sharing a video of the two of them sharing a special moment in which Dignam called him the ‘true rockstar of [his] life.’
He continued: ‘My old pal Christy Dignam has died. God love him. We lost a fabulous Dubliner today. My deepest sympathies go out to Kiera and Kathryn and the rest of Christy’s family and his Aslan family.’
MMA pro Conor McGregor also took to social media and said, ‘RIP Christy Dignam,’ alongside an Irish flag.
Meanwhile, the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, said it was ‘hard to believe’ the Dubliner was gone.
In a lengthy statement, he said: ‘People across Ireland and beyond will have heard with great sadness of the death of Christy Dignam.
‘For the last 40 years, Christy and his bandmates in Aslan have made an enormous contribution to the cultural life of our nation. In addition to their well-loved albums and hit singles such as This Is and Crazy World, Aslan will be remembered in particular for their live shows and their remarkable connection with their audience.
‘Christy was central to that connection, with his passionate performances ensuring a memorable night every time Aslan played – and there were many nights, with Christy and the band showing an endless dedication to touring throughout the country.
‘As a result, people in nearly every town in Ireland will have their own memories of seeing them play and will feel like they had a personal connection with Christy. Indeed, I will personally remember a typically memorable performance from Christy in Áras an Uachtaráin in 2016.
‘Over recent years, all of us have been struck by the dignity with which Christy lived with his illness and admired his dedication in continuing to both perform and record, including his 2021 solo album, despite the challenges which he faced.
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‘It is hard to believe that he has left us.
‘May I express my deepest condolences to Christy’s wife Kathryn, to his daughter Kiera, to his bandmates in Aslan, and to his wide circle of family and friends.’
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