Steve Ellis, the lead singer of Love Affair, has passed away aged 76.
The news was confirmed via a statement on the singer's Facebook page, which said that Ellis died 'after complications from a chronic illness'.
'Dear Friends, It's with a heavy heart that we share the news of Steve's passing,' the statement shared on Sunday read.
'After complications from a chronic illness, Steve peacefully left the world on the evening of October 30, 2026, in the presence of his loved ones.'
'Please feel free to leave your thoughts, memories, or condolences for the family in the comments below. Everlasting Love.'
Ellis was the frontman of the London-based pop group Love Affair, which formed in the late 1960s.
Steve Ellis, the lead singer of Love Affair, has passed away aged 76. The news was confirmed via a statement on the singer's Facebook page, which said that Ellis died 'after complications from a chronic illness' (pictured in 1968)
Ellis was the frontman of the London-based pop group Love Affair, which formed in the late 1960s. (L-R) Drummer Maurice Bacon, Ellis, bassist Mick Jackson keyboardist Lynton Guest and guitar player Rex Brayley pictured in 1968
Born in Edgware, Ellis's first band as a 15-year-old was The Clifton Bystanders before he formed the Soul Survivors, whose name was later changed to Love Affair.
Love Affair released their first singles in 1967, including chart topper Everlasting Love which knocked The Beatles' Hello Goodbye from the number one spot in January 1968.
Ellis was just 16 years old when he recorded the hit song.
The band had heard the original version of the track, recorded by Robert Knight, during a rehearsal session in Walthamstow with Ellis revealing 'I loved it and so we set about putting it down on tape.'
The song attracted some controversy when it was later revealed that the band, aside from Ellis, didn't play on the released version.
Love Affair's original recording produced by Muff Winwood, was rejected by Island Records.
Producer Mike Smith decided to record a new version of the song with Ellis and a backing group of session musicians rather than his actual bandmates, admitting they were pressed for time.
The band later came clean when they were ambushed with questions about the recording on the talk show Good Evening I'm Jonathan King.
Following Everlasting Love's success the band had four further top 20 hits across the next two years – Rainbow Valley, A Day Without Love, One Road and Bringing on Back the Good Times. Their album The Everlasting Love Affair arrived in December 1968.
Love Affair released their first singles in 1967, including chart topper Everlasting Love which knocked The Beatles' Hello Goodbye from the number one spot (Ellis pictured in 1967)
After growing frustrated with being labelled as a pop band, the group experimented with a new sound which flopped in the charts. Ellis felt the band had run its course and he quit in December 1969 for a solo career.
In 1970 he sang on the soundtrack for Loot the film of Joe Orton’s play directed by Silvio Narizzano.
Blues guitarist and friend Norman Beaker shared a tribute on Facebook on Sunday, praising Ellis as a 'legend' of the UK's mod movement.
'He was a good friend and a great voice. I recently performed a track on his new album, one of my songs "She heals my soul". He was a legend with the mod movement, a great character, he will be sadly missed,' wrote Beaker.
Record producer David Courtney posted: 'I am sad to announce the passing of my long time friend Steve Ellis who left us [on Saturday]. My thoughts are with Val and the family.'