A statement on Bap Kennedy's Facebook page said: "We are devastated to announce that Bap passed away this evening. Bap was extremely brave until the end.

We would like to thank everybody for their kind messages of support over the past few months, these meant a lot to Bap and Brenda and helped Bap stay positive throughout his illness.

We are also extremely grateful to all the staff at the Marie Curie hospice for their kindness and warmheartedness during his stay."

Tributes have been pouring in from fans and artists alike since Bap's passing this evening.

Stuart Bailie, well-known music writer and broadcaster, described Bap as 'tender and poetic' and said that the hard times he had faced in his life had made his music all the more inspiring.

"Bap Kennedy was heroic in his final months," he said.

"He faced up to mortality with honesty and even humour. He was able to release another album and he seemed to take great joy in the fact that people were sharing his music online - old and new - and sharing their love for him at the same time.

"Bap wrote dozens of great songs. He loved Hank Williams, the 'Hillbilly Shakespeare' and Bap is probably the closest that Belfast has come to the voice. Honest and sad and true.

"He found a soul mate with Brenda, he spoke bravely about his autism and he gifted us bravery and heart."

Bap brother Brian Kennedy, also a well-known Belfast singer-songwriter, was diagnosed with rectal cancer, but it was detected in its early stages and was subsequently treated.

Bap Kennedy spent his last few weeks in hospice care. He will be remembered for the mark he left on the Belfast music scene over four decades.

The singer will be sorely missed.