Wilko Johnson dies aged 75: Dr Feelgood rocker and Game of Thrones star passes away at home

  • Dr Feelgood revealed the performer passed away at his home on Monday 
  • He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2013 and given 10 months to live
  • Doctors later discovered it was a less aggressive neuroendocrine tumour

By Rebecca Lawrence For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

Dr Feelgood rocker and Game of Thrones star Wilko Johnson has died at the age of 75. 

Johnson was given a terminal pancreatic cancer diagnosis in 2013 and told he had 10 months to live after he chose not to undergo chemotherapy. 

Yet later that year, doctors discovered Johnson was in fact suffering from a rare and less aggressive neuroendocrine tumour.

Doctors were able to remove the 3kg tumour in an 11-hour operation, with the star then declared cancer-free. 

In a statement on his Twitter account on Wednesday it was revealed the star passed away at his home on Monday. His cause of death is unknown. 

RIP: Dr Feelgood rocker and Game of Thrones star Wilko Johnson has died at the age of 75 following a battle with cancer (pictured in 2018)

RIP: Dr Feelgood rocker and Game of Thrones star Wilko Johnson has died at the age of 75 following a battle with cancer (pictured in 2018) 

Sad news: In a statement on his Twitter account on Wednesday it was revealed the star passed away at his home on Monday. His cause of death is unknown

Sad news: In a statement on his Twitter account on Wednesday it was revealed the star passed away at his home on Monday. His cause of death is unknown

The tweet read: 'This is the announcement we never wanted to make, & we do so with a very heavy heart: Wilko Johnson has died.

'He passed away at home on Monday 21st November. Thank you for respecting the family's privacy at this very sad time. RIP Wilko Johnson.'

Fans immediately rushed to pay tribute to the legendary rocker, with RIP Wilko trending on Twitter within minutes of the announcement.  

In 2013, Johnson revealed he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer but vowed to honour his touring commitments and keep playing for as long as he could.

His manager Robert Hoy said at the time: 'He said he wants to make the very best of the time he has left, playing and partying when he can.

'He is currently in good spirits and is not yet suffering any physical effects and can expect to enjoy at least another few months of reasonable health and activity.'

As seen on screen: Johnson played a mute executioner in Game Of Thrones (pictured on the HBO series with Sophie Turner)

As seen on screen: Johnson played a mute executioner in Game Of Thrones (pictured on the HBO series with Sophie Turner) 

Star: Johnson played and wrote with Dr. Feelgood in the mid 1970s, on albums including Down by the Jetty, Malpractice, Stupidity and Sneakin' Suspicion (L-R The Big Figure, Lee Brilleaux, John B Sparks and Wilko in 1975)

Star: Johnson played and wrote with Dr. Feelgood in the mid 1970s, on albums including Down by the Jetty, Malpractice, Stupidity and Sneakin' Suspicion (L-R The Big Figure, Lee Brilleaux, John B Sparks and Wilko in 1975) 

In 2017, Johnson spoke out about defying the odds, revealing his terminal diagnosis had given him a different outlook in life.  

'That year thinking my life was at an end was one of the greatest years of my life.

'The way I handled it was at all times to understand, "Yes, I'm gonna die" but don't sit there wishing you aren't gonna die because we're all gonna die. I never felt self-pity. I was never in tears all that time...

'Looking out at thousands and thousands of people [at Fuji Rock in Japan] and they all know you're gonna die... oh man. I'm gonna die, but it's alright. What a high. 

He added: 'It's hard to know there are people suffering from cancer who don't survive, and then me.'

Talented: Johnson was known for his unique, choppy guitar style, having learned to play right-handed, despite being left-handed (pictured in 1979)

Talented: Johnson was known for his unique, choppy guitar style, having learned to play right-handed, despite being left-handed (pictured in 1979) 

Tributes: Fans immediately rushed to pay tribute to the legendary rocker, with RIP Wilko trending on Twitter within minutes of the announcement

Tributes: Fans immediately rushed to pay tribute to the legendary rocker, with RIP Wilko trending on Twitter within minutes of the announcement

Johnson was known for his unique, choppy guitar style, having learned to play right-handed, despite being left-handed.

He played and wrote with Dr. Feelgood in the mid 1970s, on albums including Down by the Jetty, Malpractice, Stupidity and Sneakin' Suspicion.

After founding the band Solid Senders in 1977, he went on to join Ian Dury's The Blockheads in 1980.

He then went on to play a mute executioner in Game Of Thrones. 

Cute couple: Johnson, who lives in his home county of Essex, was left widowed when his wife Irene lost her battle with cancer in 2004. The couple are survived by their son Simon

Cute couple: Johnson, who lives in his home county of Essex, was left widowed when his wife Irene lost her battle with cancer in 2004. The couple are survived by their son Simon

Paul Weller, 64, was inspired by the musician, once saying: 'Wilko may not be as famous as some other guitarists, but he's right up there. 

'And there are a lot of people who'll say the same. I can hear Wilko in lots of places. It's some legacy.'

Johnson, who lives in his home county of Essex, was left widowed when his wife Irene lost her battle with cancer in 2004. The couple are survived by their son Simon.

This article has been amended since publication to clarify that while Mr Johnson was initially diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, it was subsequently found that he was suffering from a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour. 

What is a neuroendocrine tumour? 

A neuroendocrine tumour is a rare tumour that can develop in many different organs of the body.

It affects the cells that release hormones into the bloodstream (neuroendocrine cells).

Neuroendocrine tumours can be cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign).

They often grow slowly, but not always.

Unfortunately, many people are only diagnosed after the tumour has spread to other parts of the body.

However, it may still be possible to use surgery to remove the tumour.

If surgery can't completely cure the condition, it may be used to help reduce and manage any symptoms.

Medication called somatostatin analogues, such as octreotide or lanreotide, may be recommended.

They stop the body producing too many hormones, and can reduce the severity of symptoms and slow the condition's progression.

Patients have an injection, usually once every 28 days.

Source: NHS

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