Liberties singer-songwriter Imelda May has shared a heartfelt statement on the passing of Aslan star Christy Dignam.

The pair previously collaborated on his debut solo album, 2021's The Man Who Stayed Alive.

"I’m so sorry to hear the awful news of the passing of our true Dublin legend Christy Dignam," Imelda posted to Instagram. "What a talented man he was and a proper gentleman. He fought a good fight for many years and gave us so much of himself. His dedication to real connection through music and truth by opening his heart and sharing his own story is a huge part of his legacy.

"I’m very honoured he asked me to sing with him on his last album ‘The Man Who Stayed Alive’," she added. "Hanging out with him and his family in their kitchen felt like we’d known each other forever and is one of the high points of my life. I am so honoured he trusted me to sing with him his very special and truly beautiful love song ‘Kathryn’ written for his wife whom he adored.

"I send all my love and heartfelt condolences to Kathryn, his daughter Kiera (the apple of his eye), his beloved grandchildren and all his loved ones including his band family. He’ll be sadly missed. We lost a legend today."

Christy Dignam gave us so much of himself. What a man.
I’m honoured he asked me to duet
his love song ‘Kathryn’
for his beloved wife.
I send all my condolences to Kathryn, Kiera & ⁦⁦@AslanOfficiaI⁩
We lost a legend today. 💙#ripchristydignam https://t.co/iAGZ6yIkJk

— Imelda May (@ImeldaOfficial) June 13, 2023

"Imelda's lovely," Christy Dignam told Hot Press back in 2021. "I've been a long time in this business and she's one of the nicest people I've worked with. I can understand now why she's so successful. I can tell you: because she's such a joy to work with."

Tributes pouring in from across Ireland, and the world, for Aslan's beloved lead singer in the last 12 hours.

The singer’s family confirmed the news that he had died “peacefully” at home at the age of 63, surrounded by his loved ones.

Kiera Dignam asked for the family’s privacy to be respected at this “immensely painful period”.

“Let us all hold him in our hearts and cherish the remarkable life of a talented singer, great storyteller and amazing person,” she added. “We thank you so much for your love and support shown to us. Kathryn, Kiera, Darren, Cian, Ava, Jake and our extended family.”

The Finglas native was diagnosed with amyloidosis, a rare blood disorder cancer, in 2013.

pic.twitter.com/zavAiLEgGa

— Aslan (@OfficialAslan) June 13, 2023

In a short statement yesterday, Aslan said they were “beyond devastated” to have lost “not just our band member but our friend Christy, that we have had so many years or sharing our lives with.

“The band and Christy's family ask you to respect their privacy at this time.”

Revisit our 2021 interview with Christy Dignam: “I’ve been fucking written off so many times – that I wasn’t going to last a week, you know?”