Published Monday, 21 May 2012
Bee Gees star Robin Gibb, who has died, aged 62 (© PA)
In a statement on Sunday, Gibb's family said they were announcing his death with "great sadness".
The statement said: "The family of Robin Gibb, of the Bee Gees, announce with great sadness that Robin passed away today following his long battle with cancer and intestinal surgery. The family have asked that their privacy is respected at this very difficult time."
Gibb notched up dozens of hits with brothers Maurice and Barry - as performers and writers - and sold more than 200 million records.
The Bee Gees' song catalogue, which includes Massachusetts, I've Gotta Get A Message To You, Lonely Days, How Can You Mend A Broken Heart, How Deep Is Your Love and Stayin' Alive, led to their induction into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Gibb's twin brother Maurice died of a heart attack in 2003 following intestinal surgery.
The 62-year-old had been fighting for his life in London since contracting pneumonia during his long-running fight against liver and colon cancer.
Last week it was reported that he was forced to communicate by blinking as he continued his fight after beating the odds to come out of a 12-day coma in April.
At the time his elder brother Barry joined Robin's wife, Dwina - who was born in Co Tyrone - on her bedside vigil for the Bee Gees icon.
They sang to him and Dwina said that Robin had cried when she played him the song Crying by Roy Orbison.