Shane MacGowan's widow Victoria Mary Clarke has shared an emotional update ahead of the singer's funeral on Friday, reflecting on their “precious and enduring” 35-year relationship.
The Pogues frontman, best known for classic Christmas hit song Fairytale Of New York, died last week at the age of 65.
MacGowan had been diagnosed with encephalitis following his latest bout of ill-health and after years of alcohol and substance abuse.
On Thursday, Clarke, whom he married in 2018, took to social media to share a throwback photo of the two of them in happier times as she shared her gratitude to those who have supported her through her grieve.
She began: "Tomorrow is Shane’s funeral which is hard to believe and probably I won’t believe it for a while. Shane hated funerals and he refused to go to them with a few rare exceptions.
“So it’s incredible to think that so many people want to come to his and that so many beautiful people are pouring their hearts and souls into making it magnificent and magical and memorable for him and for us who are left behind.
“I am feeling my heart bursting open in all directions with the amount of love that is being showered on us and most especially because everyone has their own problems and challenges and everyone has their own loved ones who they need to look after.
“I feel that Shane is with me all the time and that he is feeling intense appreciation and gratitude and that he is still sending love to everyone and maybe in a more powerful way from where he is now.
“I couldn’t have possibly asked for a more precious and enduring love affair as a human and I got so much from my relationship with Shane that it would be greedy to want more!”
The Irish journalist on: “I would love to say to anyone who is in a relationship with someone who has problems with addiction or anxiety or depression to please get healing and help for yourself, and to take care of yourself and you will find that it gives you the strength to keep going and to be able to enjoy.
“And to anyone who is in fear of losing someone just know that millions of angels are watching you and supporting you.”
She concluded her sentiments by asking friends and fans to remember MacGowan’s memory by showing “compassion” to others:
“And if you don’t want to come to the funeral Shane would definitely understand, he wouldn’t want to go either!” she wrote.
“But if you want to remember him, the next time you see a homeless person stop and give them your time and your compassion and your respect and treat them like a brother or a sister.”
The Irish singer's funeral mass will take place on Friday in Tipperary following a procession in Dublin that morning.
