Gene Wilder dead: Watch Coldplay play 'Pure Imagination' in tribute to Willy Wonka actor

The band performed a cover of the track - from 1971's Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory - at their gig at the Pepsi Center in Denver

When the legendary Gene Wilder left us on Monday - passing away at the age of 83 - he left behind so much for us to treasure: his comedic genius, his indisputable kindness, and even his musical contributions.

Coldplay played tribute to one of Wilder's most iconic moments at their stop at the Pepsi Center in Denver, on a tour which has already seen almost nightly tributes to both Prince and David Bowie.

Pausing their usual set, frontman Chris Martin went acoustic for a dreamy cover of "Pure Imagination", taken from Wilder's most iconic film, 1971's Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

The band has littered their tour with special one-off tributes and performances; James Corden joined the band for a rendition of "Nothing Compares 2 U" to honour Prince at their Hollywood Rose Bowl gig, while Michael J. Fox took to the stage in New Jersey to play covers of "Earth Angel" and "Johnny B. Goode".

Coldplay was also recently joined by Prince Harry to perform track "Up&Up" at a special charity concert held at Kensington Palace, organised by the Prince's charity Sentebale in an effort to raise money to fight HIV/Aids.

The song "Pure Imagination" has been covered many times before, including by the likes of Maroon 5, Fiona Apple, Oberhofer, Josh Groban, Jamie Callum, and Mariah Carey.