Singer and poet Leonard Cohen has died, aged 82.

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Singer and poet Leonard Cohen has died, aged 82.

The sad news, reported on the Bird on a Wire singer’s Facebook page, comes just weeks after the beloved Canadian star told the New Yorker magazine he was “ready to die” in an interview.

He told the publication, “I don’t think I’ll be able to finish those songs (I’m working on). Maybe, who knows? And maybe I’ll get a second wind, I don’t know. But I don’t dare attach myself to a spiritual strategy. I don’t dare do that.

“I’ve got some work to do. Take care of business. I am ready to die. I hope it’s not too uncomfortable. That’s about it for me.”

Cohen clarified his remarks days later, while promoting his new album You Want It Darker, explaining he was speaking philosophically.

The Everybody Knows singer hosted a listening session for his new album in Los Angeles on 13 October (16) and addressed reports he was dying, stating, “I said I was ready to die recently and I think I was exaggerating. I’ve always been into self-dramatisation. I intend to live forever.”

A post on his Facebook page on Thursday evening (10Nov16) reads: “It is with profound sorrow we report that legendary poet, songwriter and artist, Leonard Cohen has passed away. We have lost one of music’s most revered and prolific visionaries.”

There were no details about the cause of Cohen’s death. A memorial will take place in Los Angeles at a later date, according to the announcement.

The Montreal-born singer, who was dubbed “the high priest of pathos” was a singer, songwriter, poet and legendary ladies man. His hits also included Suzanne, I’m Your Man, and Hallelujah. You Want It Darker was his 14th album.

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