Annik Honoré, girlfriend of Joy Division's Ian Curtis, has passed away

Annik Honoré has passed away at the age of 56. The Belgian, best known with her relationship with the late Ian Curtis, died after a long bout with illness, leaving two children.

Curtis' former bandmate Peter Hook announced the news prior to a Nottingham gig on July 3. Honoré is thought to be the inspiration behind Joy Division's seminal single 'Love Will Tear Us Apart', as she was alleged to be involved in an affair with the singer while he was still married to his wife Deborah.

Honoré disputed the nature of the relationship in 2010 interview with the Belgian intervie >Le Vif, after the release of the Joy Divison-based film Control

"It was a completely pure and platonic relationship, very childish, very chaste ... I have not had sex with Ian, he was on medication that made him not a physical relationship. I'm so pissed that people question my word or his: it was nice to say anything you want but I am the only person to have written it ... One of his letters said that relationship with his wife Deborah was already over when we met."

Watch the video for 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' below.