Cockney rock star Chas dies aged 74

One half of a famous British music act has died after a battle with cancer.

Chas and Dave were renowned to generations of fans for their popular take on Cockney music hall classics.

At the weekend it was announced that Chas Hodges had died peacefully aged 74.

Despite receiving treatment for his oesophageal cancer he is said to have died peacefully in his sleep.

Known for their rock and cockney style – or “rockney” – Chas and Dave enjoyed the height of their fame in the 1970s and 1980s with hits such as Rabbit and Snooker Loopy.

They also performed four FA Cup final songs with Tottenham Hotspur FC.

Born in north London in 1943, Chas’s career began as a session musician in the 1950 and 1960s, working with producer Joe Meek.

He went on to team up with guitarist Dave Peacock in the 1970s with debut album One Fing ‘n’ Anuvver, featuring Chas on lead vocals, released in 1975 and they went on to have eight UK top 40 hits. They also appeared in adverts for Courage beer and Heinz Baked Beans.

Chas disclosed in early 2017 that he had been diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus after he struggled to swallow a glass of water. He had chemotherapy and began performing again but in August, Chas and Dave cancelled their forthcoming gigs on doctors’ advice.

Partner Dave Peacock has paid glowing tributes to his friend and musical collaborator hailing him a “fabulous musician and a fabulous mate”.

He told the BBC: “All he wanted to do was play music. He just couldn’t stop, even when he was eating his dinner he’d be humming a tune. When he was having chemotherapy they couldn’t believe it – he even wrote a song while he was having chemotherapy in the hospital.”

The guitarist said he was still in a “bit of a daze” after hearing of Chas’s death.

“I always say to people Chas and Dave ain’t just a band, it’s a way of life and I’m going to miss him terribly,” he said.

“He was there for me when my wife died. He’s always been fantastic. He’s always been there.”

“He even wrote a song while he was having chemotherapy”

Chas Hodges helped pioneer the ‘rockney’ style