Gerry and the Pacemakers star Gerry Marsden dies aged 78

FILE PHOTO: Liverpool supporter and singer Gerry Marsden sings You'll Never Walk Alone before their English Premier League soccer match against Blackburn Rovers at Anfield in Liverpool, northern England, October 24, 2010. REUTERS/Phil Noble

LONDON (Reuters) - Gerry Marsden, lead singer of the British band Gerry and the Pacemakers whose version of "You'll Never Walk Alone" became the thunderously sung anthem for Liverpool Football Club, has died at the age of 78, a friend announced on Sunday.

"It’s with a very heavy heart after speaking to the family that I have to tell you the Legendary Gerry Marsden MBE after a short illness which was an infection in his heart has sadly passed away," radio broadcaster Pete Price posted on Twitter.