Singer Jon English dead

Rocker Jon English has died after complications from surgery.

The Australian singer and actor, 66, passed away surrounded by his family, including wife Carmen and their four children.

He was set to tour Australia from May but fell ill two weeks ago, telling fans on Facebook he was to undergo "a small operation" which he expected to fully recover from in weeks.

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

The rocker became a household name when he performed as Judas in the musical Jesus Christ Superstar in the 1970s.

He won a Logie Award in 1979 after appearing in Australian series Against the Wind, and starred in sitcom All Together Now in the 1990s alongside Rebecca Gibney.

English's rock hits included 'Handbags and Gladrags', 'Hollywood Seven', and 'Turn the Page', which was released in 1975 and was his first hit.

His last album, English History II, was released in 2001.