Keith Flint death: Prodigy singer known for 'Firestarter' dies aged 49

The Prodigy confirmed reports of the musician's death, calling him 'a true pioneer, innovator and legend'

The Prodigy singer Keith Flint has died, aged 49. The vocalist, musician and dancer was found dead at his home in Dunmow, Essex.

The electronic group confirmed the death in a statement, reading: "It is with deepest shock and sadness that we can confirm the death of our brother and best friend Keith Flint. A true pioneer, innovator and legend. He will be forever missed. We thank you for respecting the privacy of all concerned at this time."

According to bandmate Liam Howlett, Flint "took his own life".

An Essex Police spokesman said: “We were called to concerns for the welfare of a man at an address in Brook Hill, North End, just after 8.10am on Monday

“We attended and, sadly, a 49-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed. The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.”

East of England Ambulance services were called to the scene, where an unnamed man was initially found unconscious. An ambulance was sent but the person, later reported to be Flint, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Flint quickly became one of the figureheads for British electronic music during the Nineties as a member of The Prodigy. Although he initially joined the group – formed by producer Liam Howlett in 1990 – as a dancer, he later graduated to singer and performed the popular 1996 tracks “Firestarter” and “Breathe”.

Both singles became staples of the UK rave scene and topped the UK singles charts, while the black-and-white music video for “Firestarter” was banned by the BBC after it aired during Top of the Pops. Parents had complained that their children had been frightened by the manically dancing, heavily pierced singer.

Flint and Howlett, who were soon joined by rapper Maxim and keyboardist Leeroy Thornhill, scored their first number one record with Music for the Jilted Generation. Their proceeding five studio albums and one compilation record all topped the UK album charts.

Radio DJ Jo Whiley led tributes to Flint, writing on Twitter: “Oh this is sad news. The death of Keith Flint. Whenever our paths crossed he was an absolute sweetheart. Really lovely. Incredible iconic frontman with a soft centre.”

Ed Simons, a member of the fellow electronic music group The Chemical Brothers, tweeted: “Oh gosh, so sad to hear about Keith Flint, he was always great fun to be around and very kind to Tom and I when we first started doing shows together.. great man.”

Chase & Status, a group heavily inspired by The Prodigy, wrote: “Absolutely devastated to hear the tragic news that the legend Keith Flint from the Prodigy has passed away. Our thoughts & condolences are with all his friends and family. We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Keith and the life changing music they made and championed. RIP.”

Outside of performing with The Prodigy, Flint – who often had a spiky fluorescent hairdo – was an avid motorcycle fan. He owned and managed Team Traction Control, who won three Isle of Man TT races in 2015.