Alan Lancaster, the bassist and co-founder of Status Quo, has died in Sydney, Australia, aged 72.

The band's manager confirmed the news, which was announced yesterday via Facebook by Lancaster’s close friend, Australian entertainment reporter Craig Bennett.

According to Bennett's post, the Peckham-born musician had suffered from MS for the last number of years.

Bennett also included a statement from Lancaster's wife, Dayle, whom he met on tour with Status Quo in Australia in 1973: "we are all heartbroken. Alan had a wonderful wit and a fabulously dry sense of humour. He was a devoted and adoring husband, father and grandfather. Family was always his focus."

Status Quo singer and co-founder Francis Rossi labelled Lancaster as an "integral" part of their sound as he paid tribute to the musician. "I am so sorry to hear of Alan’s passing," he said in a statement

"We were friends and colleagues for many years and achieved fantastic success together as the Frantic Four alongside Rick Parfitt and John Coghlan.

"Alan was an integral part of the sound and the enormous success of Status Quo during the 60s and 70s."

Rossi and Lancaster had met in the 1960s at Sedgehill Comprehensive School in London, where they formed a band called Scorpions with two more classmates.

They then formed The Spectres after meeting drummer John Coghlan. Guitarist Rick Parfitt, who passed away in 2016, was then recruited to the band in 1967, and after a number name changes the four finally settled on Status Quo.

After launching their hit-making career with the release of Pictures of Matchstick Men, Lancaster performed with the group until 1985, appearing on 15 albums. His last album with the band was 1983’s Back To Back.

The band enjoyed more than 60 Top 40 hits in the UK, had 25 UK Top 10 albums and released over 100 singles, including hit songs such as 'Down Down' and 'Whatever You Want'.

Live Aid in July 1985 would be his final concert with the band for almost three decades, until a reunion of the original line-up for two sell-out tours in 2013 and 2014.

After leaving Status Quo, Lancaster joined Australian band The Party Boys and performed on their self-titled album in 1987. He alsostatus quo formed The Bombers, with John Coghlan serving as their original drummer.

Lancaster had been living in Australia for 45 years after migrated in the '80s. He is survived by his wife, Dayle, whom he met on tour with Status Quo in Australia in 1973, their children, Alan Jr., Toni and David, and five grandchildren.

Status Quo manager Simon Porter said: "This is such sad news and my sincere condolences go out to Dayle and the family.

"It was an absolute pleasure to be able to reunite the original line-up for two sell-out tours in 2013/2014 and to give Status Quo Frantic Four fans a final legacy and such a lasting memory.

"Although Alan was not in the best of health even then, he got through the tours with determination and grit and was a pleasure to work with."