The musician passed away in hospital earlier this morning, surrounded by friends and family after battling against brain cancer for three years.

The star - who was diagnosed with the disease after collapsing on stage during a gig in Philadelphia in 2010 - had undergone a number of operations and recently rejoined his bandmates to work on new music.

However, a statement on the band's website announced the sad news. It read: 'It is with great sadness that we have to announce that Jon Brookes, the drummer with The Charlatans, died this morning aged 44.
'Following a seizure on tour in Philadephia in 2010, Jon had been receiving treatment for a brain tumour and had undergone several operations, although he had been working on new material with the band over the summer… He passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning with his family at his bedside.'

It continued: 'Jon was a founding member of The Charlatans, who formed in the West Midlands in 1989. He was much loved by those who knew him and regarded as one of the finest drummers of his generation and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

'Jon was a brilliant drummer, an inspiration, a founding member of The Charlatans, part of our family and a friend to everyone in and around the band. Losing someone who was always so full of life is a tragedy that will be shared by so many. Our thoughts are with Debbie and all of Jon.