Music legend Sinéad O’Connor has died aged 56.
The beloved star, born Sinéad Marie Bernadette O'Connor in Dublin on 8 December 1966, first rose to fame in the late 1980s with her debut album 'The Lion and the Cobra' which turned her into a household name overnight.
She went on to achieve worldwide success in 1990 with a now-famous new arrangement of Prince's song 'Nothing Compares 2 U'.
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The track went on be named the number one world single in 1990 by the Billboard Music Awards and she would go on to sell millions of albums across the globe.
O'Connor continued to receive many accolades throughout her career including being presented with the inaugural award for Classic Irish Album at the RTÉ Choice Music Awards just earlier this year.
In a statement, the singer's family said: "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."
Tributes have since poured in for the late musician across social media.
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One Twitter user penned: "Very sad. I absolutely love her 'Lion and the Cobra' album. One of my fav albums ever. A great artist. Incredible voice. Prayers for her loved ones."
A second wrote: "Sad day for Ireland, a beautiful Irish legend taken way too soon."
"Feeling a little emotional hearing this news," tweeted another fan, "my deepest condolences to her family and all who knew her."
"It’s rare when you read about the death of a celebrity and it hits you like a truck," expressed a fourth, "RIP Sinead."
A fifth echoed: "So sad to see this terrible news. RIP," while a final Twitter user added: "Speechless and heartbroken — we remember Sinéad O'Connor."
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O'Connor released 10 studio albums across her incredible decade-spanning career.
She is survived by her three remaining children Jake Reynolds, 36, Roisin Waters, 27, and Yeshua Bonadio, 16.
Her son, Shane Lunny, died last year aged 17.
The 'Drink Before the War' hit-maker converted to Islam a years year back in 2018 and subsequently changed her name to Shuhada Sadaqat.
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However, she continued to perform under the name Sinéad O’Connor.
She became known for being outspoken in her social and political views and famously tore up a photograph of Pope John Paul II on Saturday Night Live back in 1992.
No cause of death has currently been confirmed.
Rhiannon Ingle