Strictly Come Dancing star Toyah Willcox has paid tribute following the death of music legend Keith Hale at the age of 75. The songwriter, composer, record producer and performer was a member of the iconic English rock band Hawkwind and also enjoyed a long association with Toyah. He co-wrote and co-produced her debut album Sheep Farming in Barnet in 1979 and her first single Victims of the Riddle. He also co-penned her seminal 1981 hit It's A Mystery which reached number four on the UK Singles Chart, and was a member of her touring band.

Taking to Instagram Toyah shared a throwback image of the pair of them together, along with one of him on stage. She captioned it: "My thoughts are with Keith Hale’s family & friends, especially Alice, Keith’s daughter. Keith will be greatly missed. I owe so much to Keith’s musical legacy from his groundbreaking band Blood Donor, who were staggeringly original right through to the success of 'It’s A Mystery'. Keith was in my live band in 1982, and he was a gentleman and a good friend. I am grateful for the time I had with him."

Keith first found success with the band Blood Donor, which he formed in 1977. They signed a deal with Arista Records in 1979 but internal corporate disputes meant their album was never released, although they did issue two singles Rubber Revolution and Rice Harvest. In 2002, they reunited for a one-off 25th anniversary concert.

In 1980, Keith joined the legendary Hawkwind as a replacement for keyboardist Tim Blake. However, he and drummer Ginger Baker walked out after the band's bust-up at Rockfield Studios.

Ginger then roped Keith into his next project, Ginger Baker's Nutters, which also included old friends Billy Jenkins and Ian Trimmer, as well as Blood Donor bassist Rikki Legair. The band did two long European tours and recorded two live albums, Live in Milan 1980 and Ginger Baker in Concert, but they split when Ginger had to leave the UK for tax reasons.

Toyah wasn't alone in paying tribute to the star as fans were quick to offer their condolences upon learning the news. Commenting on her post, one wrote: "So sad to read. Thinking of Keith's family and friends and sending all condolences."

Another added: "I never saw the Toyah band in 1982, but wow, what a sound you guys made. Thinking of all Keith’s family and friends at this very difficult time x."

On Facebook, a third chimed in: "Sad to hear about the death of Keith Hale, another of the extended Hawkwind tribe gone..."

A fourth shared: "RIP Keith. So sad to hear that my dear friend and early mentor, Keith Hale, has passed away. Keith had been in Hawkwind (with Ginger Baker) and wrote It's a Mystery, which Toyah Wilcox took to Number 4, but I'd bonded with him over a deeply shared love of Dylan. Just a wonderful man."

Meanwhile, a fifth simply wrote: "Sad to hear Keith Hale passed away a couple of days ago."