Sinéad O'Connor dies aged 56

Sinéad O'Connor has sadly died aged 56.

Born in Glenageary, Dublin on December 8 1966, Sinéad made her musical debut aged 15 when she was overheard singing by the drummer of Irish group In Tua Nua. Sinéad went on to co-write their song Take My Hand. From there, Sinéad began performing in Ton Ton Macoute, before leaving for London in 1985 to pen a record deal with Ensign Records.

Sinéad rose to fame as a soloist with her debut album The Lion and the Cobra, which reached the Top 40 in 1988 (27).

She achieved a Number 1 single two years later with Nothing Compares 2 U, which remained at the top of the Official Singles Chart for four consecutive weeks.

Across a career spanning 37 years, Sinéad achieved UK Top 40 singles with 1988's Mandinka (17), 1990's Nothing Compares 2 U (1) and The Emperor's New Clothes (31), 1992 release Success Has Made a Failure of Our Home (18), 1994's Thank You for Hearing Me (13), 1995 Shane McGowan duet Haunted (30) and 2007 Ian Brown collaboration Illegal Attacks (16).

Sinéad also enjoyed Top 40 albums with 1988 debut The Lion and the Cobra (27), 1990's I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got (1), 1992 LP Am I Not Your Girl? (6), 1994's Universal Mother (19), 1997 hits compilation So Far - The Best Of (28), 2012's How About I Be Me (And You Be You) and 2014 record I'm Not Bossy, I'm The Boss (22).

In a statement, Sinéad's family wrote: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad. Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time."

Our thoughts are with Sinéad's family, friends and fans at this time.