Nick Kamen dead aged 59 – Madonna’s protégé and Levi’s model dies ‘after lengthy cancer battle’ at Notting Hill flat

 NICK Kamen, the 1980s heartthrob who found fame when he stripped off in a Levi advert, has died aged 59 following a lengthy cancer battle.

The Essex-born hunk was famed for the Levi 501 ad in 1985 that saw him wearing just his boxers in a launderette as Marvin Gaye's Heard It Through The Grapevine played.

Nick Kamen has died aged 59
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Nick Kamen has died aged 59Credit: Getty
He appeared in a Levi's commercial
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He appeared in a Levi's commercialCredit: Advertising Archive

He also sang with Madonna on hit Each Time You Break My Heart in 1986.

A cause of death hasn't been confirmed but in 2018, his team posted on Instagram revealing he was suffering from cancer and undergoing chemotherapy.

His neighbours at his £1million home in Notting Hill, West London, also told the Mail Online he had been battling bone marrow cancer.

Tragically his death comes six years after his brother Barry Kamen died from a heart attack aged 52.

Nick's brother Barry, left, died six years ago from a heart attack
Nick's brother Barry, left, died six years ago from a heart attack

Tributes have flooded in for Nick, real name Ivor Neville Kamen, led by pal Boy George.

He said: "R.I.P to the most beautiful and sweetest man Nick Kamen!"

John Taylor of Duran Duran said: "So so sad to hear of the passing of Nick Kamen. One of the loveliest and gentlest men I ever met. 

"He was a beloved friend to my daughter and her Mom. We shall all miss him. RIP Nick".

Comic Matt Lucas said: "If you didn't have a crush on Nick Kamen in the 80s, you probably weren't there. RIP."

RISE TO FAME

Singer Tinita Tikaram said: "Sad to hear that Nick Kamen has died . He was kind & sweet , none of the ego of someone who had just set the world alight with his extraordinary beauty. My condolences to his family."

Nick Cave's designer wife Suzie called Nick a "dear friend", while 90s pop star Kavana said: "R.I.P Nick Kamen beautiful inside and out.”

Nick carved a career for himself when he was just 18 after stripping down to his boxers for the hugely-successful Levi advert.

The advert led to a huge boost in sales for Levi and came forth in a countdown of the 100 greatest ads of all time.

It also caught the eye of Madonna, who reached out to Nick with a song she had written with Stephen Bray to join forces on.

The mega-star later said she was inspired by his "charisma" and "beautiful voice".Each Time you Break My Heart reached number five in the UK and led to a successful music career for Nick.

He went on to have four records between 1987 and 1992 - including a cover of the Four Tops' 1996 hit Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever.

His other songs include Turn It Up from the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids soundtrack.

Boy George has led tributes to Nick
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Boy George has led tributes to NickCredit: Instagram
Nick became an overnight success when he was just 18
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Nick became an overnight success when he was just 18Credit: Rex
The Levi ad propelled him to stardom
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The Levi ad propelled him to stardomCredit: Levi Strauss
Nick caught the eye of Madonna after the commercial
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Nick caught the eye of Madonna after the commercialCredit: Rex
He went on to have a successful music career
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He went on to have a successful music careerCredit: Rex
The model released four LPs
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The model released four LPsCredit: Rex
Madonna provides backing vocals on Nick Kamen's debut single Each Time You Break My Heart from 1986

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