The much-loved poet’s family said that he was diagnosed with a brain tumour eight weeks ago.

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Peaky Blinders star Zephaniah had previously backed Prostate Cancer UK’s Stronger Knowing More campaign.

In a 2017 interview, he said: “I take care of myself by staying in control of my food and doing a lot of exercise.

“And I get myself checked out because I know life has a lot in store,
and that I’m stronger knowing more.

“If you feel something that’s not quite right – you start getting up
in the middle of the night and going to the toilet a lot or whatever –there’s nothing wrong with just getting it checked out.

“Any good doctor will tell you it’s better to get checked than leave it and find out you’ve left it too long.”

He added: “I remember a grandfather of mine dying in the
Caribbean and I asked my mother how he died.

“She said he had ‘water works problems’ – I heard a lot of
that from various relatives.

“And now I’ve realised that, for some of them, it was
prostate cancer.

“But it was a bit hush-hush because it was in and around our
private areas.

“So we never really talked about it. And then I started to lose
friends to it, too.

“I feel very passionate about prostate cancer because it’s something
black men of all ages – young, middle-aged and older – just don’t talk
about.

“I must say that over years, I’ve seen a change. But I still think we
have a long way to go.”

‘AMAZING CAREER’

Zephaniah’s family said that he died by his wife’s side after a private eight-week battle with brain cancer.

In a statement, it said: “It is with great sadness and regret that we announce the death of our beloved husband son and brother in the early hours of this morning.

“Benjamin was diagnosed with a brain tumour eight weeks ago.

“Benjamin’s wife was by his side throughout and was with him when he passed.

“We shared him with the world and we know many will be shocked and saddened by this news.

The family added: “Benjamin was a true pioneer and innovator, he gave the world so much.

“Through an amazing career including a huge body of poems, literature, music, television and radio, Benjamin leaves us with a joyful and fantastic legacy.

“Thank you for the love you have shown Professor Benjamin Zephaniah.”

Tributes have flooded in for Zephaniah after the news of his death broke this afternoon.