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Shane MacGowan’s wife shares heartbreaking statement after The Pogues singer dies aged 65
'There’s no way to describe the loss that I am feeling and the longing for just one more of his smiles that lit up my world.'
Danny Jones -
30th November 2023 
Shane MacGowan’s wife, Victoria Mary Clarke, has shared a truly heartbreaking statement on social media after confirming that The Pogues frontman has sadly died aged 65.
After a prolonged period of ill health and months spent in critical care following an infection and an encephalitis diagnosis, a condition that causes the swelling of the brain, the Irish author and writer announced his passing on Thursday, 30 November.
Writing on behalf of the singer-songwriter’s sister Siobhan and father, Maurice, The Pogues shared a brief statement expressing “the deepest sorrow and the heaviest of hearts” and asking for privacy “at this very sad time”.
As for his wife of five years, Clarke began her post by simply writing, “I don’t know how to say this so I am just going to say it…”
“Shane who will always be the light that I hold before me and the measure of my dreams and the love of my life and the most beautiful soul and beautiful angel and the sun and the moon and the start and end of everything that I hold dear has gone to be with Jesus and Mary and his beautiful mother Therese.
“I am blessed beyond words to have met him and to have loved him and to have been so endlessly and unconditionally loved by him and to have had so many years of life and love and joy and fun and laughter and so many adventures.
“There’s no way to describe the loss that I am feeling and the longing for just one more of his smiles that lit up my world. Thank you thank you thank you thank you for your presence in this world you made it so very bright and you gave so much joy to so many people with your heart and soul and your music.
“You will live in my heart forever. Rave on in the garden all wet with rain that you loved so much. You meant the world to me.
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With tributes pouring in online for the man behind everyone’s favourite, ‘Fairytale of New York’, The Independent described him as a “shy and complex genius“.
The Irish folk-punk icon’s struggles with addiction and his health are well-documented and was admitted to a hospital in Dublin earlier this year.
As a name synonymous with classic festive tunes and Christmas in general, there’s no doubt his beloved song with Kirsty MacColl will go straight to number one this holiday season and be turned up to full volume in homes all across the UK.
Rest in peace.
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Featured Image — Victoria Mary Clarke/The Pogues
