Nightclub owner Peter Stringfellow has died at the age of 77, following a battle with lung cancer.
A spokesperson confirmed that the businessman – known as the King of Clubs – died in the early hours of Thursday morning (June 7). He leaves behind a wife, Bella, and four children.
His publicist Matt Glass said: "It's very sad news. He passed away in the early hours of this morning. It was kept very private, he didn't want to tell."
Stringfellow had treatment for lung cancer after being diagnosed in 2008. He kept his diagnosis private, though it was leaked in 2015.
He opened his famous club, Stringfellows, in Covent Garden in 1980. He went on to launch venues in Miami, Beverly Hills and Paris.
"I went to a strip club in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in the '80s and loved it," he said. "I then immediately opened up Stringfellows New York and it became a great success as I changed it to a strip club."
Piers Morgan, Boy George and Tony Blackburn are among those paying tribute to Stringfellow on Twitter.
Calum Best wrote: "RIP Peter Stringfellow, so many amazing memories I have with this man , from when I first came to UK and he took care of me for years in his club to staying with him and his family in Spain . Rest in peace friend, my thoughts r with ur family. No doubt a legacy will live on."
Frank Bruno shared: "RIP Peter Stringfellow, I met this man a few times over the years. A great guy & king of the discos. My thoughts are with his family."
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