The Cure guitarist Perry Bamonte has died aged 65, it has been announced on Boxing Day.

The band's official website confirmed the sad news that the musician passed away over Christmas following a short illness.

In a statement, they said: 'It is with enormous sadness that we confirm the death of our great friend and bandmate Perry Bamonte who passed away after a short illness at home over Christmas.

'Quiet, intense, intuitive, constant and hugely creative', "Teddy" was a warm hearted and vital part of the cure story. "Looking after the band" from 1984 through 1989, he became a full time member of The Cure in 1990, playing guitar, six string bass and keyboard on the Wish, Wild Mood Swings, Bloodflowers, Acoustic Hits and The Cure albums, as well as performing more than 400 shows over 14 years.

'He rejoined The Cure in 2022, playing another 90 shows, some of the best in the band’s history, culminating with the show of a lost world concert in London 1st November 2024.

'Our thoughts and condolences are with all his family. He will be very greatly missed.'

The Cure guitarist Perry Bamonte has died aged 65, it has been announced on Boxing Day (pictured in 2023) 

The band's official website confirmed the sad news that the musician passed away over Christmas following a short illness (Pictured L-R in 1992: Perry, Simon Gallup and Robert Smith)

Perry became a full time member of the band after Roger O’Donnell left and was due to perform on The Cure’s UK and European tour in 2026.

Shows are scheduled for cities such as Cardiff, Dublin, Berlin, Edinburgh and Manchester.

Following news of his passing, fans took to social media to pay tribute, with one writing: 'R.I.P. Perry Bamonte, your music with The Cure changed my life';

'Rest in peace, Perry Bamonte. His work helped shape a defining era of The Cure';

'Gutted about Perry Bamonte most liveliest member of The Cure';

'Rest in peace Perry Bamonte The Cure fans all around the world are grieving today.' 

The band's current line-up comprises of Robert Smith, 66, Simon Gallup, 65, Roger O’Donnell, 70, Jason Cooper, 58, and Reeves Gabrels, 69.

Initially formed in 1978, The Cure has sold over 30 million albums worldwide and has headlined Glastonbury Festival four times.

Inductees Michael Dempsey, Pearl Thompson, Perry Bamonte, Boris Williams and Lol Tolhurst of The Cure attend the 2019 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony

Perry rejoined The Cure in 2022, playing another 90 shows, some of the best in the band’s history, culminating with the show of a lost world concert in 2024 (pictured in 2004)

They were also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019 and are considered to be one of the most influential bands to ever come out of the UK.