Marianne Faithfull has died at the age of 78, her spokesperson has said. The singer and actress reportedly was surrounded by her family at her London home when she died.

A statement announcing the death said: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of the singer, songwriter and actress Marianne Faithfull.

“Marianne passed away peacefully in London today, in the company of her loving family. She will be dearly missed.”

The star was best known for her 60s hit As Tears Go By. In addition to her music career, Faithfull also acted in films including The Girl on a Motorcycle, as well as theatre productions.

However, she stepped away from the limelight in the 1970s after a damaged voice and drug use. Her return to entertainment came in 1979 with the release of her album, Broken English, but her struggle with drug used continued.

In 1985, she went to rehab in Minnesota and received treatment. However, even in recent years the superstar suffered with her health.

In 2004, she collapsed on stage in Milan which threw off her touring schedule. Two years later, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and revealed that she suffered from hepatitis C in 2007.

In 2020, Marianne was hospitalised after coming down with COVID-19. Having spoken out publicly during her recovery after initially battling the virus, Faithfull revealed in January 2021 that she may never be able to sing again – a prospect she would be “incredibly upset” by.

But remaining optimistic, she continued to say: “I don’t feel cursed and I don’t feel invincible. I just feel f*g human.

“But what I do believe in, which gives me hope, I do believe in miracles. You know, the doctor, this really nice national health doctor, she came to see me and she told me that she didn’t think my lungs would ever recover.

“And where I finally ended up is: OK, maybe they won’t, but maybe, by a miracle, they will. I don’t know why I believe in miracles. I just do.”

Marianne was also famously the girlfriend of Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger in the 1960s. At the time, they were known as the “It” couple of British music.

They met when Marianne was just 17, but it wasn’t until 1966, when she was 20, that she and Jagger began dating.

However, their love story was tainted by unfaithfulness and substance abuse, with Faithfull’s affair with “Paddy” Rossmore resulting in the end of their relationship – after four years of being on and off.

Despite their rocky relationship, Mick was still one of the first to pay tribute to his forme beau. Posting to Instagram, the rock star shared a snap of them together as he wrote: “I am so saddened to hear of the death of Marianne Faithfull.

“She was so much part of my life for so long. She was a wonderful friend, a beautiful singer and a great actress. She will always be remembered.”

Mick’s Rolling Stones band mate, Keith Richards, also shared his condolences, writing: “My heartfelt condolences to Marianne’s family! I am so sad and will miss her!!” Meanwhile, Ronnie Wood wrote: “Marianne will be dearly missed. Bless her xx”