The musical theatre star and chart-topping songwriter has passed away aged 66 after complications during surgery.

Singer, songwriter and entertainer Jon English has died aged 66, due to complications while undergoing surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm. The British-born star had cancelled a show on the advice of his doctors, which was due to take place on Sunday in Newcastle as part of his latest Australian tour, although he had been suffering ill health for several weeks before.

A statement issued by English’s partner, Carmen, read, “No one saw this coming. It was supposed to be a routine surgery. We’re all absolutely devastated that this occurred.” The unexpected suddenness of his death was poignantly demonstrated in a Facebook post published on Monday by the singer’s management, in relation to his recently cancelled performance. “[Jon] apologises to all of his fans who were looking forward to the day, but assures everyone he will be back to full health and rocking out on stage with you all very soon (he is in fact itching to do so!)” it read. 

English was an artist of rare versatility earning a name as a rock star, a television actor, a musical theatre leading man, songwriter, composer and a celebrated operetta singer. First arriving in Australia in 1961 at the age of 12, English had his first big break in the early 1970s, starring as Judas in Harry M. Miller’s Australian premiere production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar. This role would open a number of doors for English, with very few opportunities left unanswered. In 1974 he co-wrote a ballet, Phases, performed at the Sydney Opera House by the New South Wales Dance Company (now known as the Sydney Dance Company); he sang on the sudio recording of Patrick Flynn’s rock opera Ned Kelly; he would partner with a number of the musicians from the Jesus Christ Superstar band to record his debut album, Wine Dark Sea. Throughout his early career he would cement a reputation as one of the most multi-skilled performers in the country.

He was also highly acclaimed for his performances in more traditional works, most notably as the Pirate King in Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance, earning an ARIA Award in the process. He would also perform in productions of The Mikado and H.M.S. Pinafore in the mid-80s, which would go on to be broadcast on national television between 1994 and 1997.

Jon English as the Priate King

He was also a familiar face on the small screen, winning a Logie in 1979 as Best New Talent, for his appearance in the TV series Against the Wind, for which he also composed and performed much of the programme’s score. The show’s international release in Sweden would earn English his biggest chart success, with the Against the Wind soundtrack reaching No 1 in the Norwegian charts in 1980. In the 1990s he starred in popular sitcom All Together Now, playing the role of aging rocker Bobby Rivers. The series would tape more than 100 episodes.

As a pop and rock singer he would deliver a number of top 20 hits, particularly in the 1970s and 80s, with hits including Words Are Not Enough and Six Ribbons and Turn the Page. During the course of his 40-year career, he would perform on 21 albums and release 16 singles. His versatility as a performer was matched by his broad accomplishments as a composer and songwriter. His musical about the Trojan War – Paris: A love Story – co-written with composer David Mackay, was recorded in 1989 by an all-star line-up, including Barry Humphries, John Waters, Demis Roussos and the London Symphony Orchestra. As a fully-staged production, it was premiered in Sydney in 2003, with revivals in Melbourne (2004) and Adelaide (2008). It won the 1991 ARIA Award for Best Original Soundtrack.