SPICE Girls fans have paid tribute to music "legend" Meat Loaf following his iconic Spice World role as the bus driver.
It was announced today that the singing sensation tragically passed away at the age of 74 after an impressive career spanning six decades.
Marvin Lee Aday, who was best known by his stage name Meat Loaf, passed away on Thursday night with wife Deborah Gillespie by his side.
A statement from his family confirmed his sad passing on Friday morning, as they gushed over the "amazing" career of the "beautiful artist".
"Our hearts are broken to announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away tonight with his wife Deborah by his side," it read.
"His amazing career spanned 6 decades that saw him sell over 100 Million albums worldwide and star in over 65 movies, including Fight Club, Focus, Rocky Horror Picture Show and Wayne’s World.
"We know how much he meant to so many of you and we truly appreciate all of the love and support as we move through this time of grief in losing such an inspiring artist and beautiful man.
"We thank you for your understanding of our need for privacy at this time. From his heart to your souls…don’t ever stop rocking!"
Fans of the singer flooded social media to share their heartbreak – with many noting how they loved his cameo performance in the Spice World film in 1997.
Meat Loaf, who played Dennis, was seen driving the tour bus throughout the film.
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They joked at how they could not believe the movie title was not included in the emotional social media tribute, as they noted it was his "best performance".
"Everyone talking about 'Meat Loaf who starred in Rocky Horror & Fight Club', but f*** it, I'm gonna be the post going 'RIP Meat Loaf of Spice World'," one wrote.
"Weird that Spice World The Movie isn’t being mentioned as one of Meat Loaf’s many accomplishments. Definitely one of his best performances," a second said.
"Sad to hear about Meat Loaf. I don't want obits to forget his stellar role in Spice World! A legend," a third agreed of his role as Dennis the driver.
"Meat Loaf was the real star of Spice World, RIP," a fourth agreed, as a fifth concluded: "RIP Meat Loaf. I loved you in Spice World."
The rock veteran had been plagued with health issues and rumours that he was dying ever since he collapsed onstage in June 2016 and had appeared in a number of interviews with slurred speech, with even Katie Price telling him she thought he had died.
He was forced to deny he'd passed away.
? Read our Meat Loaf live blog for the latest updates on his death
But he'd had back surgery nearly two months prior to remove a cyst on his back – and he explained what was going on.
“Listen, I am not dying. After three months of therapy I will be fine. I am sick of talking about it. I don’t want to talk about it from now on,” he said.
"And anyone else who asks me the question, I’m not going to respond to it.”
Meat Loaf was last pictured on stage on March 27 last year when he performed with country artist John Rich at Redneck Riviera in Nashville.
The singer's cause of death has not yet been revealed.
The rock star was born Marvin Lee Aday in Dallas, Texas, in 1947, forming his first band Meat Loaf Soul in the 1960s and legally changing his name to Michael Lee Aday.
He had the nickname Meat Loaf since he was a child and kept it when he went on stage.
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