ICONIC GUITARIST WILKO Johnson passed away at home in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, of unknown cause at the age of 75. Famous as a member of Dr. Feelgood, then alongside Ian Dury in the Blockheads, then as a solo artist, Johnson was among the most charmingly eccentric and popular musicians Britain has produced. A decade ago he became successful in a different field, playing the mute executioner Ser Ilyn Payne in the first two series of the hugely popular fantasy drama Game Of Thrones.
In 2013 Johnson was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, but won the hearts of the world with his bravery in the face of the disease, refusing chemotherapy to undertake a farewell tour. When it turned out that the cancer was less virulent than feared, he underwent an 11-hour surgery to remove a gigantic 3kg tumour
