The Fall singer fought cancer

THE Fall’s frontman Mark E Smith died after battling lung and kidney cancer, his family revealed yesterday.

Despite suffering poor health for several years, Smith, who died last month aged 60, had continued to tour with the band he formed in Prestwich in 1976.

Yesterday his sisters Barbara, Suzanne and Caroline released a joint message to fans, saying: ‘Mark fought a long and hard battle after his diagnosis of terminal lung and kidney cancer.

‘He took every treatment going, which could be brutal at times. Mark hated letting his fans down and tried to carry on regardless against all advice.’

Smith was The Fall’s only constant member, having hired and fired more than 60 musicians for the cult band.