A number of '80s megastars have led the online tributes to Steve Strange, who died of a heart attack in his sleep on Thursday night.
Simon Le Bon, whose band Duran Duran competed with Visage in the ambitious music video stakes in the '80s, announced the news to his Twitter followers.

I'm very sad to announce that our friend Steve Strange has died in Egypt today. He was the leading edge of New Romantic. God Bless him.

— Simon Le Bon (@SimonJCLeBON) February 12, 2015

Rocker Billy Idol was also early to pay his respects:

Very sad to hear of my friend Steve Strange @Stevevisstrange passing, RIP mate.....

— Billy Idol (@BillyIdol) February 12, 2015

Remembering @Stevevisstrange, here he is (with Perri Lister) in the Visage 'Fade to Grey' video http://t.co/wUrtGG603i

— Billy Idol (@BillyIdol) February 12, 2015

Kim Wilde issued this heartfelt statement about their relationship:
"I'm so grateful that life brought Steve and I together, he was funny, great company and completely bonkers in the most adorable way.
"He would often call up for a long chat, and always asked after my husband Hal, and our children Harry and Rose.
"Steve was a family man first and often spoke of his beloved family in Wales.
"Steve will be remembered as the most elegant and beautiful of the New Romantics at the beginning of the 80s, and Fade To Grey one of the very best and most influential records of the decade.
"I shall remember him for his humour and generous spirit; he really was a very lovely man."
Steve Strange, born in Steven John Harrington in Newbridge, Wales, first fell in love with music as a teen seeing The Sex Pistols play live. He went on as a 15-year-old to work for Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren before founding his own club, The Blitz, in Soho. He was a prime mover on the New Romantic scene – a memorable pop star, style icon and also a former Hot Press cover star. He appeared on the front of a 1981 issue with Ultravox. He will be sadly missed.