The Fall singer Mark E Smith died aged 60 at home on Wednesday morning, the band’s manager Pam Van Damned said.
A statement on the band’s Twitter account said: “It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Mark E. Smith.
“He passed this morning at home. A more detailed statement will follow in the next few days. In the meantime, Pam & Mark’s family request privacy at this sad time.”
Last year the band were forced to cancel a string of shows due to Smith’s health.
Born in Salford in 1957, the former dockworker formed The Fall in the mid-1970s and the band went on to be one of Britain’s best-loved cult bands, famous for an anarchic post-punk style and Smith’s habit of sacking bandmates.
His death was previously wrongly announced by the BBC in March last year, on his 60th birthday.