RIP PRODIGY STAR KEITH FLINT, 49
STARS PAY TRIBUTE TO PRODIGY STAR KEITH FLINT, 1969-2019
PRODIGY bandmates last night spoke of their “anger and heartbreak” after frontman Keith Flint killed himself aged just 49.
The troubled star was found dead at his home after police were called over “concern for his welfare”.
His fellow Prodigy rockers last night said they were distraught, hinting he may have been lying dead for some time.
They were planning a huge summer comeback gig at the Glastonbury festival and admitted they were “angry” while also being upset.
Liam Howlett, the writer behind the band’s biggest hits such as Firestarter, said: “I’m shell-shocked, f***ing angry, confused and heartbroken. The news is true, I can’t believe I’m saying this but our brother Keith took his own life over the weekend. RIP brother.”
The band added in a statement: “It is with deepest shock and sadness that we can confirm the death of our brother and best friend Keith Flint.
“A true pioneer, innovator and legend. He will be forever missed.”
Keith had spoken about his battle with depression, drug abuse and suicidal thoughts in the past.
Personality
Haunting interviews saw the punk raver, who was found dead at his country mansion in Dunmow, Essex, admit to “mental problems” and a “self-destructive” personality.
He said a few years ago: “I’m not saving up for anything. When I’m done I’m cashing it all now.
“I’ve always had this thing inside me that, when I’m done, I’ll kill myself.
“The moment I start s**tting the bed is when you’ll see me on the front of a bus.”
He added: “The problem is, you’ve got s***loads of cash and s***loads of time and all you’re doing is looking for a buzz.”
In another chat, Keith told how his six dogs once saved him from suicide and revealed he had considered killing himself but backed out as he was a “coward”.
“I’d line up rows of pills and just take them and take them and I’d lose track of how many until I passed out,” he said.
“You need a lot of balls to kill yourself. I was a coward.”
Keith was found dead at his £1.5million country home, where he could often be seen taking his then eight dogs for a walk or riding around on a quadbike as he settled into rural life.
Police attended the scene after “concerns for his welfare” were raised.
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Kai, who was 6,000 miles away in her home country when he died. Keith is famous for chart-topping hits Firestarter and Breathe among a host of other iconic tunes. His death comes four months after The Prodigy released their seventh studio album No Tourists, which shot to number one. They were set to embark on a worldwide tour, kicking off with the Estereo Festival in Bogota, Colombia. Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis led the outpouring of grief as she revealed they had once again been booked this summer. She said: “We are so saddened to hear the news about the passing of Keith Flint. “He’s played here so many times over the years with The Prodigy and was booked to play this year.”
A string of other stars paid their respects. Rapper Dizzee Rascal described him as “one of the nicest people I’ve ever met”. Ed Simons of The Chemical Brothers said: “So sad to hear about Keith Flint, he was always great fun to be around.”
DJ Jo Whiley added: “Whenever our paths crossed he was an absolute sweetheart.”
An Essex Police spokesman said: “We were called to concerns for the welfare of a man at an address in Brook Hill, North End, just after 8.10am on Monday, March 4.
“We attended and sadly a 49-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.”
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