POP NICK RIP
Nick Kamen dead aged 59 – Madonna’s protégé and Levi’s model dies ‘after lengthy cancer battle’ at Notting Hill flat
NICK Kamen, the 1980s heartthrob who found fame when he stripped off in a Levi advert, has died aged 59 following a lengthy cancer battle.
The Essex-born hunk was famed for the Levi 501 ad in 1985 that saw him wearing just his boxers in a launderette as Marvin Gaye's Heard It Through The Grapevine played.
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He also sang with Madonna on hit Each Time You Break My Heart in 1986.
A cause of death hasn't been confirmed but in 2018, his team posted on Instagram revealing he was suffering from cancer and undergoing chemotherapy.
His neighbours at his £1million home in Notting Hill, West London, also told the he had been battling bone marrow cancer.
Tragically his death comes six years after his brother Barry Kamen died from a heart attack aged 52.
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Tributes have flooded in for Nick, real name Ivor Neville Kamen, led by pal Boy George.
He said: "R.I.P to the most beautiful and sweetest man Nick Kamen!"
John Taylor of Duran Duran said: "So so sad to hear of the passing of Nick Kamen. One of the loveliest and gentlest men I ever met.
"He was a beloved friend to my daughter and her Mom. We shall all miss him. RIP Nick".
Comic Matt Lucas said: "If you didn't have a crush on Nick Kamen in the 80s, you probably weren't there. RIP."
RISE TO FAME
Singer Tinita Tikaram said: "Sad to hear that Nick Kamen has died . He was kind & sweet , none of the ego of someone who had just set the world alight with his extraordinary beauty. My condolences to his family."
Nick Cave's designer wife Suzie called Nick a "dear friend", while 90s pop star Kavana said: "R.I.P Nick Kamen beautiful inside and out.”
Nick carved a career for himself when he was just 18 after stripping down to his boxers for the hugely-successful Levi advert.
The advert led to a huge boost in sales for Levi and came forth in a countdown of the 100 greatest ads of all time.
It also caught the eye of Madonna, who reached out to Nick with a song she had written with Stephen Bray to join forces on.
The mega-star later said she was inspired by his "charisma" and "beautiful voice";.
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Each Time you Break My Heart reached number five in the UK and led to a successful music career for Nick.
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He went on to have four records between 1987 and 1992 - including a cover of the Four Tops' 1996 hit Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever.
His other songs include Turn It Up from the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids soundtrack.
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Madonna provides backing vocals on Nick Kamen's debut single Each Time You Break My Heart from 1986