Benjamin Zephaniah, a British writer and poet, has died aged 65.
A post on the musician and professor of poetry’s Instagram said he was diagnosed with a brain tumour eight weeks ago and described him as “a true pioneer and innovator” who “gave the world so much”.
It added: “Benjamin’s wife was by his side throughout and was with him when he passed.
“Through an amazing career including a huge body of poems, literature, music, television and radio, Benjamin leaves with us a joyful and fantastic legacy”.
Zephaniah was also a Dub Poet who played the role of Jeremiah Jesus in Peaky Blinders.
He turned down an OBE in 2003, writing: “Benjamin Zephaniah OBE – no way Mr Blair, no way Mrs Queen. I am profoundly anti-empire.”
He said he had begged Tony Blair to meet him to discuss crime in Britain and told the Queen to stop “going on about the empire”.
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