Hot Chocolate singer Errol Brown has died aged 71, his manager Phil Dale has confirmed. The singer had been suffering from liver cancer and passed away at his home in the Bahamas.

Errol BrownThe Hot Chocolate frontman had been battling liver cancer

Brown gained fame in the 1970s as the frontman for Hot Chocolate, whose first UK singles hit was 'Love Is Life' which reached number six in the charts. In 1975 the band released ‘You Sexy Thing’ which was a UK number two hit and reached the US top five.

The song would end up charting again over 20 years later when it featured on the soundtrack of hit British film The Full Monty. The band scored their only UK number one in 1977 with 'So You Win Again'.

Manager Phil Dale described Brown as "a wonderful gentleman”. Adding, ”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.”

Born in Jamaica, Brown moved to Britain with his mother when he was 12. His musical career began when he record a reggae version of John Lennon’s ‘Give Peace a Chance’, which impressed the former Beatle and led to Hot Chocolate singing with Apple Records.

The group’s stay at Apple Records would be short-lived however and their first singles would be released on record producer Mickie Most’s RAK label.

Brown was made an MBE in 2003 and in 2004 he received an Ivor Novello Award for his outstanding contribution to British music. After his farewell tour in 2009 Brown told fans on his website, “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”. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.