Roxette's Marie Fredriksson dies aged 61 after 17-year battle with cancer

The Swedish singer was best known for Roxette hits "It Must Have Been Love", "Listen To Your Heart", "Joyride", and "Fading Like A Flower".

Her manager Marie Dimberg confirmed news of her passing, revealing she died on Monday (9 December) after "a 17-year-long battle with cancer."

Dimberg adds, "Marie leaves us a grand musical legacy. Her amazing voice - both strong and sensitive - and her magical live performances will be remembered by all of us who were lucky enough to witness them. But we also remember a wonderful person with a huge appetite for life, and woman with a very big heart who cared for everybody she met."

According to the BBC, Roxette bandmate Per Gessle said of her passing, "Thank you, Marie, thanks for everything. You were an outstanding musician, a master of the voice, an amazing performer. Thanks for painting my black and white songs in the most beautiful colours. You were the most wonderful friend for over 40 years. I'm proud, honoured and happy to have been able to share so much of your time, talent, warmth, generosity and sense of humour. All my love goes out to you and your family."

Fredriksson first collapsed in 2002, and received three years of treatment after doctors found a brain tumour. She returned to the stage in 2008, and later did a comeback tour. By 2016 she was advised to stop touring due to health concerns.