'The day we've been dreading': Legendary The Fall frontman dies

The Fall's lead singer Mark E Smith passed away this morning, his manager confirmed. Photo / Getty

The Fall lead singer Mark E Smith has died today aged 60.

The official Twitter account for the band confirmed the tragic news, along with a statement from band's manager and his partner Pam Van-Damned.

The tweet read: 'The day I've been dreading. '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."

The Fall's record label, Cherry Red, also confirmed the English musician's death.

His last performance was at the Queen Margaret Union in Glasgow, where he sang from his wheelchair with his right arm in a sling, the Daily Mail reported.

Born into a working-class family in Salford on March 5, 1957, Smith grew up in Prestwich and first began working in a meat factory on the Manchester docks.

He quit his job in the docks in 1976 for The Fall after attending a Sex Pistols gig. Later, Smith said he was inspired because 'whatever I did would have to be better than most of the so-called punk s**** I was hearing at the time'.

The band was launched with friends Martin Bramah, Tony Friel and Una Baines - who missed their first gig as she could not afford a keyboard.

They released their first two albums, Live At The Witch Trials and Dragnet, in 1979.

Smith's infamous alcohol and amphetamine abuse made him well-renowned as a difficult people to work with in the music industry, which led to estranged relationships with many former bandmates, including his ex-wife Brix Smith Start.

Smith had to cancel a number of The Fall gigs last year after suffering from a "bizarre and rare medical issues", his manager said, and respiratory problems. The cause of death has not yet been disclosed.

A statement on the band's website shared in November read: "Unfortunately as with The Fall show last night in Bristol (cancelled last minute) I'm sorry to say the same will be happening tonight.

"I know it's not as last minute as last night, but it's still last minute in my eyes. And I'm really, really sorry. I can't think of much to say today, as all my focus is on Mark. And we are all a bit gutted. It's been a weird year."

Mark E Smith left his own statement regarding last year's cancelled shows. It read: 'This idiotic idea to do both shows was purely my idea, against the advice of Pamela and The Fall group, agent and promoter.

"Hope to replace shows within 4 – 6 weeks. In the interim we have eight new songs ready to go and will try and let you hear a few before Christmas.

"From head patient to you, the patients. I love you all but cannot embrace you all, Mark E. Smith. (sic)"