HEARTFELT tributes pour in for south Essex music legend, Wilko Johnson, who has died at the age of 75.

The Dr Feelgood and Game of Thrones star’s death was announced on social media yesterday morning by the official page on his behalf and his bands.

Wilko Johnson was born on Canvey and lived in Westcliff in recent years.

Back in 2013, he also became the face of the historic Southend Railway Hotel by the landlords at the time, Dave and Fiona Dulake.

READ MORE >> South Essex music legend Wilko Johnson dies aged 75

The couple had replaced its traditional sign at the Railway pub, with a huge painting of Wilko himself.

It was well-known across Southend at the time that Wilko was a regular at the Railway and that he would also treat customers to impromptu performances during his visits.

In tribute after his death, Dave, 56, said: “Wilko became something of a regular at The Railway in the last decade or so of his life.

“It was always a joy to see him bowl in, Wilko was by far our favourite face.”

Wilko also played at the couple’s wedding in 2012, and Fiona, 37, said it was a dream come true.

She said: “If our wedding day wasn’t already the best day ever, Wilko came along and made it one to remember forever.

“He joined me, and Paul Hill, on stage to play guitar while I backed him on drums, and Paul on bass together playing Roxette.

“A landlady’s dream come true.

“Thank you for the memories, Wilko and for bringing our pub to life.”

Johnson was diagnosed with late-stage pancreatic cancer in 2013 and given just 10 months to live.

However, later tests showed his cancer was not as aggressive as previously thought and an operation was offered as a chance to save his life.

After an 11-hour procedure which removed a tumour, his pancreas, spleen, parts of his stomach and intestines, and some blood vessels from around his liver, the musician was declared cancer-free.

Rebecca Harris, MP for Castle Point, also paid tribute to Wilko.

She said: “I am very saddened to hear of the death of Canvey born pub rock legend, Dr Feelgood guitarist Wilko Johnson.

“I remember as a child watching him zoom forwards and backwards on the stage on Top of the Pops like he was on rails, he was in a different dimension.

“He still has friends on Canvey and many who remember him.

“A true Canvey legend Going Back Home.”

Mr Wilko was born on Canvey in 1947, and in his autobiography recalled that he had a tough childhood, and at 16 he was elated to come home from school one day to find his father had died.

In the book, he also said he found joy in literature but, after realising he was never going to cut it as a poet, he discovered music.

Southend musician, Sam Duckworth, said Wilko brought Essex to the world, and we were lucky to have him.

In tribute he said: “Wilko Johnson brough Essex to the world and changed the way guitar was played.

“He was a huge presence on and off the stage.

“A champion of music with heart and soul. A player of the same passion and integrity that he brought to the rest of life.

“An unmistakable legend walked among us and we were lucky to have him.”