Andrew Lloyd Webber ‘totally bereft’ following death of eldest son Nicholas

He had been moved to a hospice in recent days

Nicholas, a Grammy-nominated composer and record producer, had been receiving treatment for gastric cancer and passed away at Basingstoke Hospital on Saturday (March 25).

Lord Webber confirmed his son's death in a post on social media.

Writing on Twitter, the legendary composer told his followers: "I am shattered to have to announce that my beloved elder son Nick died a few hours ago in Basingstoke Hospital. His whole family is gathered together and we are all totally bereft."

Lord Lloyd-Webber, whose hit musicals includes Cats, The Phantom of the Opera and Jesus Christ Superstar, said two days ago that Nick had been moved to a hospice.

On Thursday, he posted a video in which he said his son was recovering from "this first bout of pneumonia" caught as a result of his "ghastly" cancer.

In the video, the composer also thanked the people of Ukraine who sent him a Cats t-shirt following the announcement that his son was critically ill.

He said: "It's incredibly moving... everything they're going through they have been so incredibly thoughtful about dearest Nick.

"I'm going to go and see Nick in a minute, and I'm going to pass on all of the fantastic wishes that I've had for him all the way from everywhere all around the world."

Nicholas was nominated for a Grammy for musical theatre alongside his father for the musical Cinderella.

He also scored the music for hit BBC One drama Love, Lies and Records, and the theatrical adaptation of The Little Prince in 2009, which premiered at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast.

Nicholas also worked on the 2017 stage show Fat Friends The Musical, based on the ITV series.

Stars from across the worlds of stage and screen have sent messages of support and condolence to Lord Webber following the sad news.

Jason Donovan, who starred in Lord Webber's 'Joseph and his Technicolour Dream Coat' in the early 1990s, wrote: "Sending all our love and thoughts at this difficult time."

Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham, who will be hosting this year's Olivier Awards, wrote: "I’m speechless in the face of your loss my friend. I pray for your strength to find you and send you all of mine."

Meanwhile, actress Bonnie Langford said: "I’m so terribly sorry. Such sad news. Sending love and strength xx"

Lloyd Webber shared Nicholas with his first wife Sarah Hugill. The former couple also share daughter Imogen, 44.

The composer also has three children with his third wife Madeleine Gurdon: Alaistair Adam Lloyd Webber, 31, William Richard Lloyd Webber, 29, and Isabella Aurora Lloyd Webber, 26.

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