MacGowan: Fairytale of New York is our Bohemian Rhapsody

Irish singer-songwriter and The Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan has died aged 65, following ill-health and a recent hospital stay after being diagnosed with encephalitis.

The musician had been unwell for some time. MacGowan also had well-documented problems with drugs and alcohol.

In the 2020 documentary Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan, he spoke to his friend, and former Sinn Féin leader, Gerry Adams about his hit single Fairytale of New York.

The song, released in 1988, has long been a staple of the festive period and MacGowan considers it a tribute to Kirsty MacColl, after her death in 2000.

Read more: Pogues singer Shane MacGowan dies aged 65