JAZZ singer and author George Melly has died at his London home, his wife Diana said today. He was 80.

Melly had been suffering from lung cancer but he refused all treatment and carried on delighting his fans on stage. He also developed dementia.

Mrs Melly told the Press Association: "He was born in Liverpool in 1926 and for 60 years has been an acclaimed, popular and much-loved performer.

"George Melly was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2005 for which he refused all treatment and continued singing until near the end.

"In 2004, George developed vascular dementia and his last performance on June the 10th this year was at the 100 Club in aid of Admiral Nurses, part of the charity For Dementia."

Melly is survived by his wife, his son Tom, his daughter Pandora, his step-daughter Candy and his four grandchildren.

The flamboyant jazzman continued to perform even after collapsing on stage during a concert with his band Digby Fairweather's Half Dozen in Hove, East Sussex, in January.

He said recently: "I don't fear death. I'm a fatalist, although I would rather death came as a shock to me.

"I've always said I wanted to die either coming off stage with the applause in my ears or of a terminal stroke on a river bank with two trout by my side."