Seventies pop idol David Cassidy dies aged 67
DAVID Cassidy, who shot to fame in the sitcom The Partridge Family, has died aged 67.
The ‘70s heartthrob had been hospitalised last week and died on Tuesday.
His representative said in a statement: “On behalf of the entire Cassidy family, it is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, our uncle, and our dear brother, David Cassidy.
“David died surrounded by those he loved, with joy in his heart and free from the pain that had gripped him for so long.
“Thank you for the abundance of love and support you have shown him these many years.”
After being rushed to hospital in Florida, the star was said to be in need of a liver transplant following a tumultuous few years. In 2014, a judge sentenced Cassidy – who divorced his third wife last year and was recently declared bankrupt – to three months in rehab and five years’probation for drink-driving.
Cassidy, who starred as Keith Partridge in the 1970s TV series The Partridge Family, also revealed he was battling dementia earlier this year.
The star, who enjoyed hits in the 1970s like How Can I Be Sure, said he had decided to stop touring, adding: “I want to focus on what I am... I want to love. I want to enjoy life.”
Fans and fellow celebrities paid tribute to Cassidy on social media following the news of his death.
Beach Boys musician Brian Wilson tweeted: “I’m very sad to hear about David Cassidy. There were times in the mid-1970s when he would come over to my house and we even started writing a song together. He was a very talented and nice person. Love & Mercy to David and his family.”
Singer and talk show host Harry Connick Jr said: “So sad to hear of the passing of david cassidy... he was always so kind to me – such a pleasure to have had him on my show... sending love and prayers to his family... R.I.P. friend.”
Television and radio host Larry King tweeted: “Sad to learn David Cassidy has died. Like his father Jack he had great talent, and a complicated life. Condolences to his wonderful family.”
Singer and TV presenter Coleen Nolan told of how she “absolutely idolised” Cassidy.
She told ITV’s Lorraine: “I absolutely idolised him when we were kids, it was him and the Osmonds for us. We went to see him in concert at the Manchester Arena in the day, and it was just incredible.”
Dozens of other stars in Hollywood and in the UK shared on social media how actor and musician Cassidy had touched their lives.
Actor and comic Dawn French shared a picture of a younger Cassidy on Twitter, along with the words: “I cherished you”.
Newsreader Kay Burley said that Cassidy was her “first love”, and stand-up comic Jenny Eclair said he was among those who “soaked up all the tears” for teenagers in the 1970s.
Comic actor Sanjeev Bhaskar said: “Sad to hear of the passing of David Cassidy. Along with Donny Osmond and Marc Bolan, adorned most teen girls’ bedroom walls in the ‘70’s.”
BBC Radio 2 presenter Tony Blackburn said: “Very sad to hear that David Cassidy has passed away. I knew him well and toured with him introducing his concerts in the 70’s and was a nice guy. R.I.P. David.”