Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are among those to pay tribute to the late Joe Cocker, who passed away this week at the age of 70 following a battle with lung cancer.

"It's really sad to hear about Joe's passing," wrote Macca in a statement.

"He was a lovely northern lad who I loved a lot and like many people I loved his singing.

I was especially pleased when he decided to cover 'With A Little Help From My Friends' and I remember him and Denny Cordell coming round to the studio in Saville Row and playing me what they'd recorded and it was just mind blowing, totally turned the song into a soul anthem and I was forever grateful for him for doing that.

I knew him through the years as a good mate and I was so sad to hear that he had been ill and really sad to hear today that he had passed away. He was a great guy, a lovely guy who brought so much to the world and we'll all miss him."

On Twitter Ringo added, "Goodbye and God bless to Joe Cocker from one of his friends peace and love."