Performer Jon English, 66, has died after surgery complications.

Australian performer Jon English has died, aged 66, due to complications from surgery.

English was well known for his work in music, television and on the stage, most notably his roles as Judas Iscariot in Jesus Christ Superstar in the 1970s and later as Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance.

A statement from his talent representatives, Ambition Entertainment, said at the time of his passing he was surrounded by family members, including his four children, wife Carmen, sister Janet and brother Jeremy, as well as other close family members.

Late last month he was hospitalised due to “unexpected ill health”, and his management postponed a number of shows in Tamworth and Dubbo that conflicted with his scheduled surgery.

Robert Rigby, the manager of English's record label, said the sudden death had shocked everyone.

"Jon was truly an Aussie rock legend," he said.

"This news has come as a very big shock to family and friends and of course the industry as a whole.

"Jon was not expecting anything more than a routine operation but due to complications unfortunately he passed away at almost midnight."

Close friend, musician Simon Gallaher who was also in Pirates of Penzance, said he received a text message from English's partner in the middle of the night.

"It says 'it's with a very heavy heart I send you this message … we are all absolutely devastated that this occurred and I send you my love'," Gallaher said.

Gallaher paid tribute to his friend's music and acting skills, adding he was consistently impressive in the musical comedy Pirates of Penzance.

"You would think it was all almost ad lib. His craft was to make it look like that and to do it consistently eight times a week, 52 times a year - we did hundreds of thousands of those performances and Jon never missed and Jon was always consistent and always funny," he said.

"Last year we did a new production of Spamalot — the Monty Python show — and we tried it out in Brisbane and it was a great, great success and great fun.

"Well that's something that will never happen now because I would never do it without him."

Jon English's career highlights

• 1972: Big break as Judas Iscariot in Jesus Christ Superstar
• 1975: First number one single with Turn the Page
• 1978: Stars in Against the Wind, pens chart-topping theme song Six Ribbons
• 1979: Wins both Logie and Countdown Music awards
• 1984: Plays Pirate King in Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance
• 1990: Snags starring role of Bobby Rivers in TV sitcom All Together Now

Born in Hampstead, London in 1949, English came to Australia with his parents and siblings at the age of 12.

He was well known for his lead role of Bobby Rivers in 1991 in the television sitcom All Together Now.

English was cast as Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar at the age of 22 and toured with the show all over Australia and New Zealand for the next five years.

During this time he also recorded four albums with songs including Handbags and Gladrags, Hollywood Seven, and Turn the Page, which was his first number one hit.

Among English's songwriting successes was the theme song for the television miniseries Against The Wind, Six Ribbons, which became a number one hit in more than six countries.

Ambition Entertainment said it commemorated his passing "with great sadness".

A public service celebrating his life is set to be held.

This post originally appeared on the ABC.

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