Chas Hodges’ family have clarified that his cause of death was pneumonia.
The Chas and Dave star was believed to have died of oesophageal cancer on Saturday morning (22.09.18), however his relatives have since learned that the disease was "under control" before he passed away peacefully and he was in fact battling the inflammatory infection at the time.
His family added that the ‘Ain’t No Pleasing You’ singer would have felt comforted to know that other people fighting cancer continue to believe "hope remains" in beating the disease.
A statement posted on the duo’s Twitter account on Tuesday (25.09.18) reads: "For the record, we would like to clarify that Chas did not die of cancer.
"The doctor’s final diagnostic was pneumonia and the cancer was under control at the time of death.
"We feel this is important to state as Chas wanted to bring comfort and hope to people suffering with cancer through his own experience with the disease, and it would mean a lot to him that the hope remains."
The original statement stated: "It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of our very own Chas Hodges. Despite receiving successful treatment for oesophageal cancer recently, Chas suffered organ failure and passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of this morning."
Chas’ bandmate and close friend Dave Peacock admitted earlier this week he was missing his musical partner "terribly", and was left in a "daze" by the sad news.
Paying tribute to the "fantastic" musician, he said: "I always say to people Chas and Dave ain’t just a band, it’s a way of life and I’m going to miss him terribly.
"He was there for me when my wife died. He’s always been fantastic. He’s always been there."
Dave, 73, said Chas continued to work from his hospital bed when he was receiving chemotherapy and even penned a song on the ward.
He said: "All he wanted to do was play music. He just couldn’t stop, even when he was eating his dinner he’d be humming a tune.
"When he was having chemotherapy they couldn’t believe it – he even wrote a song while he was having chemotherapy in the hospital."
Tributes flooded in for the legendary star following the devastating news of his passing.
Sir Lenny Henry wrote on Twitter: "What a shame. When they were on Tiswas they were always kind, respectful and played live. RIP Chas."
Whilst comedian Paddy McGuinness added: "RIP Chas Hodges. Chas and Dave were always on the telly when I was a nipper, they’re cockney through and through but we also loved them in the North. I always wanted to see them live. Sad loss to the entertainment industry. #chasanddave (sic)"
Radio presenter Jo Whiley wrote on the social media site: "Oh no. This is the saddest news. Chas was a lovely lovely gentleman & our Maida Vale Xmas show was one of my absolute favourite shows. Much love to his family, close friends & Dave (sic)"
There was also a poignant tribute to Chas from Tottenham Hotspur football club, as Chas was a huge fan of the team and the duo recorded a number of songs for the club when they reached the FA Cup Final.
They wrote on their official Twitter account: "Everyone at the Club is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of one of our own, Chas Hodges. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time."
Chas & Dave rose to fame in the 1970s for their eclectic mix of music from the pop and folk genre. Their hits include ‘Ain’t No Pleasing You’, ‘The Sideboard Song’ and ‘Rabbit’.
Chas Hodges died from pneumonia
