LONDON, Jan 12: British pop star Maurice Gibb, a singer and bassist for the hugely successful disco group the Bee Gees, died on Sunday, his family announced here.

Fans from around the world and members of the music industry paid tribute to the 53-year-old who suffered a heart attack last Thursday during emergency abdominal surgery after collapsing at his home in Miami, Florida.

Maurice — who had in his 20s and again in his 40s battled alcohol problems — died at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami with his second wife Yvonne and two children at his side. Also present were his twin brother Robin and older brother Barry — who made up the Bee Gees trio.

Chris Hutchins, a former agent of the group, said Maurice had a history of poor health.—AFP