Searchers’ Eddie dies

THE Searchers drummer Eddie Rothe has died aged 68, his fiancée Jane Mcdonald said last night.

A statement on the singer’s Twitter account confirmed he passed away after a months-long battle with lung cancer.

It read: “We would like to thank everyone for all their help and support during this very difficult time.”

Rothe was a member of the Merseybeat group for 10 years from 1999.