James Blunt reveals Keith Flint's 'tremendous kindness' at Q Awards after he was snubbed by Noel Gallagher and Damon Albarn

The iconic music star, who was hailed as “true pioneer, innovator and legend” by his bandmates, was found dead at his home in Essex yesterday morning. He was 49.



In a heart-warming tribute Blunt recalled how The Prodigy star showed him kindness when others in the industry did not.

He tweeted: “At the Q Awards years ago, when @NoelGallagher was saying he was leaving Ibiza because I'd moved there, and @DamonAlbarn refused to be in the same picture as me, and @PaulWellerHQ was saying he'd rather eat his own s*** than work with me, Keith Flint came over, gave me a hug, and said how thrilled he was for my success.

"Keith, I only met you once, but I shed a tear at the news of your death.

“In our business, there are no prizes for being kind, but if there was, that Grammy would be yours."

Among the musicians paying tribute to Flint yesterday were Ed Simons of the Chemical Brothers, the band Kasabian, rappers Dizzee Rascal and Professor Green, and Ian Brown, frontman of the Stone Roses.

Emily Eavis, co-organiser of the Glastonbury Festival, said The Prodigy had been the first dance band to headline the festival in 1997 and had been booked for this year’s event.

'TRUE PIONEER'

Flint helped turn The Prodigy into one of the biggest live acts in the world with his energetic on-stage performances and distinctive hair and tattoos.

The band sold 30 million records, had seven consecutive number one albums and conquered the US unlike 1990s rivals Oasis and Robbie Williams.

They were scheduled to tour the US in May before playing at a host of European festivals over the Summer.

The band’s co-founder, Liam Howlett, wrote in an Instagram post that “our brother Keith took his own life over the weekend”, adding: “I’m shell-shocked, f***ing angry, confused and heartbroken”.

In a statement Howlett and fellow bandmate, Maxim, described Flint as a “true pioneer, innovator and legend”.

Flint was originally a dancer for the group but featured as a vocalist on 1996 number one hit Firestarter.

The track, known for its chorus "I'm a firestarter, twisted firestarter" propelled the band into the mainstream.

His appearance in the video, dancing aggressively in a disused railway tunnel, made him a household name.

5K RUN TWO DAYS EARLIER

Flint’s death came two days after he was pictured in the 5k Chelmsford Central Parkrun where he got a personal best.

Last night we reported how The Prodigy star took his own life days after putting his £1.5m Essex farmhouse up for sale after splitting from his Japanese wife Mayumi Kai.

Mayumi was in Japan when Flint was found “unresponsive” by medics yesterday morning at his home.

An East of England Ambulance spokesman said crews were called at 8.08am but added: “Sadly a man in his 40s died at the scene.”

Essex Police said: "We attended and, sadly, a 49-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed.

"The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner."


If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123, or visit Mind’s website.










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