Tony Wilson, one of the members of 1970's band Hot Chocolate, has died aged 78 his daughter has revealed. She shared a heartbroken tribute to announce the sad news. Taking to Facebook on Friday (24 April), she said: "Dad left us today, April 24th 2026. He left a lot of music behind...forever and ever. I am thankful that on Friday 17th during our conscious talk time he was led to the Lord with understanding. Some mornings later he asked for prayers. He said that he was leaving." She continued: "The peace that I have is knowing that his soul escaped. He is in and at peace. That is the peace I also have. I give God thanks and praise. Look around....We carry nothing with us. We have to make our election sure. This is serious. The question remains, in the end, where will we spend eternity?"

Fans flocked the comments with their own tributes as they were heartbroken over the tragic update.

One wrote: "Oh so sad..Tony Wilson was my # 1 artiste from the 70s. I played his music all the time on 45rpm Records, Cassettes and 8Track Tape Cartridges.

"Tony was an amazing vocalist as a solo performer and in the British Band Hot Chocolate.. 'You'll Always Be a Friend', 'I Know Why I Like Your Style', 'Forever Young & his version of 'Just When I Needed You Most' were my favourites.

"I still listen to his music to this day... I always say that Tony Wilson deserves the nation's highest national award...Condolences to his family and friends ..Rest in Eternal Peace."

Another said: "May you build a ladder to the sky and climb on every rung and may you stay forever young! I wasn't even warm enough to say I love you cause if I tried I know you'd see right through me. I can give you only what you see!

"This man was one of Trinidad's greatest celebrities along with folks like Carol Addison, The Hamilton Brothers, Jenny Pakeerah, Conrad Waldron and who he knew well Wildfire. He was a good one. May his soul rest in eternal peace."

Tony co-founded the band Hot Chocolate with Jamaican-born songwriter Errol Brown back in 1969. They were the first predominantly Black British group to make waves in the US Charts.

He co-wrote the band's 1975 single 'You Sexy Thing', which peaked at number three in America, and number two in Britain. Other big hits from them included 'Love Is Life', 'You Could Have Been A Lady', 'Emma' and 'Brother Louie'.

Tony decided to leave the band eventually to embark on a solo career. He released two albums, I Like Your Style and Catch One.

However, neither of them charted in the UK or the US and he was not quite as successful on his own.