Kate Bush says 'a light has gone out' as she pays tribute to Sinéad O’Connor

28 July 2023 , 10:02

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Kate Bush says 'a light has gone out' as she pays tribute to Sinéad O’Connor

Kate Bush says "it’s like a light has gone out" following the heartbreaking death of Sinéad O’Connor.

Grammy-winning Irish singer Sinead was found unresponsive at her home in south London, police revealed in a statement on Thursday.

The Nothing Compares 2 U singer's family confirmed her passing on Wednesday night, sparking tributes from heartbroken friends and celebrities across the world.

"It’s like a light has gone out, hasn’t it? A beacon on a high mountain," Wuthering Heights singer Kate writes following Sinead's death being announced.

Kate Bush shared a rare public statement on her website following the death of Sinead O'Connor (Popperfoto via Getty Images)

'Sinead didn’t just move us with her incredibly emotive voice, she stood up with it' (Kim Haughton/REX/Shutterstock)

Continuing with her touching tribute to her fellow singer, shared on her official website, Kate goes on to add: "Sinead didn’t just move us with her incredibly emotive voice, she stood up with it. I salute her. We were lucky to have such a magical presence move among us. Kate."

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Kate, who returned to the charts last year thanks to Netflix series Stranger Things use of her music, is just one of many celebrities paying tribute to Sinead in the wake of her tragic passing - with music legends, senior political figures and heartbroken fans all sharing their memories of the music legend.

"I adored this woman from afar as a teenager. I will always admire her," began Muriel's Wedding actress Toni Collette's tribute post as the news broke on Wednesday. "I was lucky enough to hang out with her a few times in my twenties. On one occasion we all sang in the hills of Wicklow in Eire."

Toni continued: "I sang a Jane Siberry song and Sinead then asked/encouraged me to sing one of my own. Can you imagine the terror? The intimidation? The thrill?! She was so talented, so generous, humble, resilient, courageous and true. What a voice. What a force. My heart breaks. Rest in real peace Sinead."

Ireland’s Taoiseach Leo Varadkar also shared his condolences with Sinead's family and friends on Twitter, adding "Her music was loved around the world and her talent was unmatched and beyond compare" before signing off with the Irish phrase for Rest In Peace, "Ar dheis De go Raibh a hAnam."

'The most beautiful voice, face and aura' (Stephen Lawrence/REX/Shutterstock)

Former Love Island host Laura Whitmore penned: "Sinead was the biggest star I ever met. And I was so starstruck I barely spoke. In many ways a star that shone so bright it was probably hard to cope having that much talent. The most beautiful voice, face and aura. As an Irish woman growing up in the 90s she was everything, showing girls were cool, Irish women could be recognised globally and shaved heads not just for guys - though not a look I could carry off. My mam told everyone who visited Sinead lived on our road - she was our royalty. Rest in peace Queen x""

Sinead's family confirmed the death of their loved one on Wednesday night. "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad. Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time," the heartbroken family's statement read.

No medical cause has been given for the death of Sinead and an autopsy will be conducted with results taking up to 'several weeks', London Inner South Coroner’s Court said the following day. The Irish singer was found unresponsive at her home in south London, police revealed in the statement shared on Thursday.

The statement from the court said: "The death of Sinead O’Connor in Lambeth was notified to the coroner on Wednesday July 26 2023. No medical cause of death was given. The coroner therefore directed an autopsy to be conducted. The results of this may not available for several weeks. The decision whether an inquest will be needed will be decided when these results are known and submissions have been heard from the family. If an inquest is to be opened, the date of the brief public hearing will be provided on our website."

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Zoe Delaney