Benjamin Zephaniah dies aged 65 after brain tumour diagnosis: Poet and Peaky Blinders star passes away after eight-week health battle as family pay tribute to ‘true pioneer who gave the world so much’

British poet and writer Benjamin Zephaniah has died at the age of 65, his family said.

The beloved public speaker and Peaky Blinders star died early this morning, eight weeks after he was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

In a statement posted on social media, his family said: “It is with great sadness and regret that we announce the death of our beloved husband, son and brother early this morning.

“Benjamin’s wife was by his side all the time and was with him when he left. We have shared it with the world and know many will be shocked and saddened by this news.

“Benjamin was a true pioneer and innovator. He gave so much to the world.

“With a prodigious career spanning a wealth of poetry, literature, music television and radio, Benjamin leaves us a joyful and fantastic legacy.”

British poet and writer Benjamin Zephaniah has died aged 65, his family says.

In a statement posted on social media, his family paid tribute to his legacy.

The son of a Barbados postman and a Jamaican nurse, dyslexic Benjamin Zephaniah, 63, was born in Birmingham in 1958, which he called “the Jamaican capital of Europe.”

During his rich life, he lectured, wrote dub poetry and novels, recorded seven albums, and received 16 honorary doctorates.

In the 1980s, he became active in the Stratford workers’ co-operative and began publishing protest poems targeting topics such as academia and the British legal system.

His poetry also addressed issues of race and place, earning him a reputation as one of Britain’s most influential voices and leading to him receiving an OBE in 2003, which he declined.

Commenting on his refusal of honor at the time, he remarked: “My obsession is the future and the political rights of all people.

“Empire” reminds me of slavery, of thousands of years of cruelty, of how my foremothers were raped and how cruelly my ancestors were treated…

“Benjamin Zephaniah OBE – by no means, Mr Blair, by no means, Mrs Queen. I am deeply against the empire.”

By the 1990s, the performance poet had made several appearances on British TV shows, including The Bill, but his best-known role came in the 2013 BBC film Peaky Blinders.

Playing the role of Jeremiah in Cillian Murphy’s epic street gang drama, Benjamin’s character often served as the moral heart of the lawless group and earned him critical acclaim.

Benjamin’s most famous role came as Jimmy in the BBC series Peaky Blinders in 2013.

He often served as the moral heart of Cillian Murphy’s (right) character Tommy Shelby’s lawless group.

In 2003, the influential poet rejected a nomination for the Order of the British Empire because he was anti-imperial.

After his death was announced, many former friends, colleagues and fans paid tribute to him on social media.

Commenting on Benjamin’s death, Labor MP Diane Abbott said: “So sad to hear of the death of poet Benjamin Zephaniah. A great man and a pioneer.”

Radio presenter Gemma Cairney shared her condolences, writing: “What heartbreaking news. Deepest condolences to the family. Benjamin was one of our greatest.”

Fellow writer Nels Abbey wrote, “Our learned and beloved elder Benjamin Zephaniah is now an ancestor.

“To call this devastating news is a gross understatement. He was too young, too talented and had much more to offer. A loss from which we will never recover.

A spokesman for the British Black Book Festival, with which Benjamin was closely associated, said: “

We are deeply saddened by the loss of Benjamin Zephaniah, the pioneering dub poet and author whose energy, atmosphere and unapologetic work paved the way for black British writers.

“We will always be grateful for his contributions and dedication. Hiss’s legacy will live on forever.

There will be a continuation..