The Real Thing singer Eddy Amoo dies at 74

Singer Eddie Amoo has died aged 74, his bandmates from UK soul group The Real Thing have confirmed.

His brother Chris Amoo, and singer Dave Smith – who both still perform in the chart-topping band – shared the news of his death on Twitter.

"It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our brother and inspiration, Eddy Amoo, who passed away on 23rd February, age 74", they wrote, praising Amoo as "Liverpool's greatest showman".

Formed in Liverpool in 1972, The Real Thing reached number one in the UK charts with their 1976 single You to Me Are Everything, scoring further top 20 hits with Can't Get By Without You, You'll Never Know What You're Missing and Can You Feel the Force?

Liverpool celebrities including actress and Liberal Democrat peer Floella Benjamin, and former Radio 2 presenter Pete Price, have shared their condolences on social media. Amoo "had a smile that would make you melt," Price wrote, while Benjamin said "his legacy & music will live on".

Benjamin praised Amoo for his work on her 1997 film Black Joy, which included The Real Thing's music on its soundtrack. "[Amoo] was a gem to work with on the film", she wrote.