Hot Chocolate frontman Errol Brown has died, aged 71.

The musician - who had suffered from liver cancer in recent years - passed away earlier today (06.05.15) at his home in the Bahamas, his manager Phil Dale has confirmed.

Phil described Brown as ''a wonderful gentleman'' and added: ''There was always music around wherever he was. I've been with him in the middle of Australia and he has got an idea for a song and started writing.''

The star had a string of hits with the band throughout the 1970s and '80s, with tracks such as 'You Sexy Thing', 'Every 1's a Winner' and 'So You Win Again' charting in over 50 countries.

Errol was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to popular music for the United Kingdom in 2003, and later went on to receive an Ivor Novello Award for outstanding contributions to British music the following year.

The frontman - who also had hits with 'Emma' and 'It Started with a Kiss' - completed a farewell tour in 2009, and admitted at the time he felt his time had come to retire because he was ''losing energy''.

He said: ''I just feel it's time now. I'm losing energy.

''Now in my life I feel I've done my thing, and I don't want to come out half-heartedly. It's time.''

Following the tour, Errol thanked his fans for their support by saying the love he felt at the string of shows would stay in his ''heart forever''.

He wrote: ''I would like to thank you for coming out in large numbers right across the UK to once again show your love and support.

''The atmosphere at the concerts were the best ever and you played your part in making me realise just how wrong it would have been to have just drifted away and not say goodbye. The love I felt at each concert will stay in my heart forever. I wish you love peace and happiness in your lives. Love You, Errol x (sic).''