Piers Morgan has paid tribute to Sinéad O’Connor, who has sadly died aged 56.
The news of the Irish singer’s passing was confirmed by her family in a statement on Wednesday.
They said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad. Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.”
Sinéad’s cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
Following the shocking news of Sinéad’s death, Piers paid tribute to her at the beginning of his show Piers Morgan Uncensored on Wednesday evening.
He said: “We start the show with some very sad breaking news. Irish music legend Sinead O’Connor has died at the age of just 56. She was a troubled and beautiful soul. Fearless, uncompromising, shocking, courageous. She was a rebel at heart.”
“She took on the Catholic Church. She used a primetime performance on US TV to stage a protest, even as everybody told her it could ruin her career. Above all else, she enchanted millions with a song that’s known across the world and across the generations.”
“Few people can truly say their voice defined an era. But Sinead’s did. Put simply, nothing compared to Sinead O’Connor.”
After playing an extract of her hit Nothing Compares 2 U, Piers continued: “And millions of people across the world will share that sentiment. Sinead, of course, led a very turbulent life.”
“She always said that her rebellious streak was driven by the abuse she’d suffered as a child and that music rescued her. It certainly unleashed a creative talent that made her world famous.”
“She struggled with her mental health for many years and talked very openly and powerfully about that. And tragically she lost her 17-year-old son Shane to suicide just 18 months ago.”
“I had a number of exchanges with Sinead over the years and interviews. They were most certainly uncensored.”
“She was a unique talent and a unique character. She spoke her mind. I always felt it was sincere. I had some great run-ins with her, where she would tear into me and the next thing would be drinking Guinness and she would be smothering me in kisses and love.”
“She was like that, she was a contrarian figure. I think she liked rattling cages and she liked telling you what she really thought of you, whether it was good or bad. I feel very sad about this news,” Piers added.
Sinéad, who changed her name to Shuhada’ Sadaqat in 2018 after converting to Islam, released 10 studio albums during her career.
The Grammy-winning artist also hit headlines in 1992 when she famously ripped up a picture of Pope John Paul II during her appearance on Saturday Night Live in the US.
She is survived by three of her children – – Jake, Roisin and Yeshua.
Her death comes over a year after her 17-year-old son Shane took his own life in January 2022, after he left a hospital in Dublin – where he had been admitted for care.
At the time, she wrote on social media: “My beautiful son, Nevi’im Nesta Ali Shane O’Connor, the very light of my life, decided to end his earthly struggle today and is now with God.”
“May he rest in peace and may no one follow his example. My baby. I love you so much. Please be at peace.”
In one of her last tweets, which was posted on July 17, 2023, Sinead posted a photo of herself and Shane and wrote: “Been living as undead night creature since. He was the love of my life, the lamp of my soul.”
“We were one soul in two halves. He was the only person who ever loved me unconditionally. I am lost in the bardo without him.”
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭#lostmy17yrOldSonToSuicidein2022.
Been living as undead night creature since. . He was the love of my life, the lamp of my soul. We were one soul in two halves. He was the only person who ever loved me unconditionally. I am lost in the bardo without him pic.twitter.com/aC8BOmLQ9N— Sinead Marie-Bernarde Aoibheann O’Connor (@786OmShahid) July 17, 2023
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