The Tribune

ERROL BROWN, the Hot Chocolate lead singer and Bahamas resident, died with his family around him in New Providence this morning from liver cancer. He was 71.

Mr Brown co-wrote 'You Sexy Thing', the British soul band's best-known hit and a top 10 single in the 1970s and 1980s. He lived at Caves Village, western New Providence.

Mr Brown had been resident in the Bahamas for 15 years and hosted a popular annual Christmas golf tournament at the Ocean Club, Paradise Island, to raise funds for his Errol Brown Children in Need charity. The funds raised went towards purchasing equipment in the children’s wards at Princess Margaret Hospital.

The announcement was made by his manager, Phil Dale, who said: "Errol Brown MBE passed away in The Bahamas this morning with his wife Ginette and daughters Colette and Leonie by his side of liver cancer. Errol was a lover of life and obviously 'music!' I never went into his home, car or a hotel room without music playing.

"Errol was a 'Gentle Man' and was a personal friend of mine who will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him."

Mr Brown was made an MBE by the Queen in 2003 and received an Ivor Novello award for his outstanding contribution to British music in 2004.

Hot Chocolate had hits in more than 50 countries worldwide, including 'You Sexy Thing', 'It Started with a Kiss' and 'Everyone's a Winner’. ‘You Sexy Thing’ also enjoyed a revival with the film, The Full Monty, in 1997.

Among fellow artists to pay tribute to Mr Brown was Beverley Knight, who described him as “such a charismatic performer”.

Mr Brown was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and was a British citizen through his marriage.