BERKSHIRE-based broadcaster Chris Tarrant has paid tribute to long-time friend Rick Parfitt, who died yesterday in Spain after suffering from a severe infection.

The Status Quo guitarist was taken into hospital in Marbella, Spain, on Thursday evening due to complications with a pre-existing shoulder injury.

He died there at lunchtime on Saturday, his manager and family said in a statement. He was just 68.

Chris Tarrant, who lives in the Duchess of Cambridge's childhood village of Bucklebury, was among a list of stars who paid tribute to the veteran musician.

The former presenter of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" had been friends with Parfitt for more than 40 years.

He said: "I am truly shattered to have this news. We all honestly felt that he was getting strong again.

"Rick was the ultimate rock and roller. He lived and died as he wanted to... the world is a sadder and poorer place without him".

The Surrey-born guitarist had been dogged by health concerns for years, most recently pulling out of the band's tour following a heart attack over the summer.

Manager Simon Porter said at the time Parfitt had "died" for several minutes, which had affected him mentally.

He first suffered a quadruple heart bypass in 1997 after touring with the band for decades, during which time he had weathered drink and drug problems.

As a member of Status Quo, Parfitt found success globally with hits such as Rockin' All Over The World and Whatever You Want.

In 2015, the band passed a milestone enjoyed by only a handful of musicians - spending a total of 500 weeks in the UK album charts.

Doctors first informed Parfitt his lifestyle of rock and roll debauchery could cost him his life after his first bypass in 1997.

But, despite cutting down on his vices, he vowed not to become a "born-again Christian" and still enjoyed the "odd pint".

He joins a long list of celebrated musicians to have died in 2016 - including David Bowie, Prince and Leonard Cohen.