Dave Dee dies age 65

British pop star Dave Dee has died at the age of 65, after a three-year battle with cancer reports the BBC.

Continuing to play live with band members Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich until the end, record plugger Sean Cooney commented:

"He didn't let it get him down. He was defying it."

The group had eight top 10 hits, including a UK number one single in 1968 with The Legend of Xanadu, in which Dee famously cracked a whip.

A spokeswoman for the family said that Dee died in Kingston Hospital in Surrey on Friday morning following "a long and courageous battle" with cancer.

Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich - named after the five friends' nicknames - first entered the UK chart in December 1965 with You Make it Move, which peaked at number 26.

Subsequent singles included Hold Tight!, Bend It! and Save Me.

Between 1965 and 1969 they spent more weeks in the UK singles charts than any other band.