Musician Denny Laine has died aged 79 (Picture: Larry Marano/REX/Shutterstock)

Denny Laine, the lead singer of the Moody Blues and a guitarist with Paul McCartney’s band Wings, has died at the age of 79.

His wife Elizabeth Hines confirmed he’d died after a long battle with lung disease.

‘I was at his side, holding his hand as I played his favourite Christmas songs for him,’ she said in a statement.

While his wife said she had expected him to recover from lung disease, the condition got progressively worse.

‘He fought everyday. He was so strong and brave, never complained,’ she added.

‘All he wanted was to be home with me and his pet kitty, Charley, playing his gypsy guitar.’

After thanking fans for their support, Elizabeth asked for ‘the time and privacy’ the family would need ‘as we grieve for our loss’.

Among his other achievements, Laine sang on the Moody Blues’ multi-million selling Go Now and co-wrote the Wings hit song Mull of Kintyre.

Born Brian Hines, he grew up in Birmingham and was inspired to play guitar by jazz legend Django Reinhardt.

In the 1960s, he formed a band called Denny and the Dilpomats, which featured future Wizzard singer Roy Wood.

After they dissolved, he created The Moody Blues, who scored a number one hit with Go Now.

More to come…

He died after a long battle with lung disease.