Keith Flint tributes: Prodigy legend hailed 'absolute sweetheart' as stars remember 'great man'

The Chemical Brothers’ Ed Simons led the tributes to Keith Flint after the original firestarter was found dead at his Essex home.

Tributes poured in for the Prodigy frontman, who died aged 49, on Monday morning.

Simons hailed him a “great man” while radio DJ Jo Whiley described him as an “absolute sweetheart”.

Simons tweeted: “Oh gosh, so sad to hear about Keith Flint, he was always great fun to be around and very kind to Tom and I when we first started doing shows together… great man.”

Whiley wrote: “Oh this is sad news. The death of Keith Flint. Whenever our paths crossed he was an absolute sweetheart. Really lovely. Incredible iconic frontman with a soft centre. #RIPKeithFlint.”

Beverley Knight told fans she has been left “heartbroken” by the news while actress Amanda Abbington said he will be “f****** missed”.

Flint's death was announced on Monday morning, with a spokesman for the police telling The Sun: “We were called to concerns for the welfare of a man at just after 8.10am on Monday.

“We attended and sadly, a 49-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed.

“The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.”

Standard Online has contacted a representative for Flint.

Flint, who was famed for his punk hairstyles and full-on live performances, was originally The Prodigy's dancer before providing lead vocals on their hit 1996 singles Firestarter and Breathe, both of which charted at number one. The band also went on to release six number one albums.

They released their new album No Tourists in November 2018 and were scheduled to play a string of dates worldwide, as well as South West Four in London in August.