Peter Stringfellow on being a father later in life top stories direct to your inbox SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up to receive our rundown of the day'sdirect to your inbox When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Peter Stringfellow’s death at 77 comes as a surprise following an announcement the businessman had been in a private battle with cancer. The club owner’s agent said he “wanted to keep it secret” in an official statement. Stringfellow was known for owning and operating a collection of nightclubs in the UK, as well as some adult clubs. He has also personally donated more than £40,000 to the conservative party since 2003, but recently revealed he was now a UKIP supporter. What did Peter Stringfellow do? Peter Stringfellow was known for setting up and running nightclubs, starting in sheffield in 1962. The businessman found success when he hosted the Beatles in 1963 before their first album release, quickly selling out. Since then, Stringfellow made a name for himself establishing nighttime venues and nightclubs known for hosting a variety of major acts. Adult clubs were also a focus of his, as he was the first nightclub manager to obtain a fully nude license from Westminster City Council. Peter Stringfellow was an important influence politically and in business, but what did he do? Stringfellow was also a media personality, having appeared as a warm up act on Ready Steady Go! at the age of 24. He has been active on many radio and television programmes, appearing over the last 50 years. He made a Celebrity Come Dine With Me appearance in 2008, battling out against Blue singer Lee Ryan, Michelle Heaton and interior design Linda Barker. In 2010, he made an appearance of Top Gear, aiding Jeremy Clarkson as he was stuck in a Reliant Robin. Peter Stringfellow helps Jeremy Clarkson in Top Gear classic Peter Stringfellow led a complex family life, with the businessman first marrying in 1960 to Norma Williams. The couple had a daughter named Karen born in the 1960’s, who is now a successful boutique owner. The nightclub tycoon married again in 1967 to Coral Wright, who gave birth to racing driver son Scott. Peter had further relationships in 1996 and 1998, with Frizzby Fox and Helen Benoist. In 2009, Stringfellow married 27-year-old former Royal Ballet dancer Bella Wright at the age of 68 with whom he had a daughter, Rosabella in 2013, and son Angelo in 2015. A major Conservative donor, Stringfellow gave tens of thousands to the party Peter Stringfellow and Brexit Politically, Stringfellow was a conservative supporter, having donated a large sum of money to the party. However, he became disenchanted following Brexit, stating that he disagreed with the Tories’ position towards leaving the EU. In an interview with the Evening Standard, he said: "I’m quitting the Tories unless they change their direction and lead us towards Remain. "I can’t live with the fact that I’m supporting a party that is totally against what I think is good for our country.” However, he previously backed a UK Independence Party candidate in a 2012 Westminster Council by-election, the party revealed. Peter Stringfellow married wife Bella Wright in 2009<doc-sep>RIP Peter Stringfellow , so many amazing memories I have with this man , from when I first came to UK and he took care of me for years in his club to staying with him and his family in Spain . Rest in peace friend, my thoughts r with ur family . No doubt a legacy will live on .<doc-sep>PETER Stringfellow's "heartbroken and devastated" daughter has paid tribute to her dad after he died aged 77 following a secret cancer battle. His eldest daughter Karen, 55, posted a touching family photo with the eccentric nightclub boss after he passed away in the early hours of the morning. 25 Nightclub owner Peter Stringfellow has died aged 77 following a secret battle with cancer Credit: Rex Features Stringfellow, who leaves behind third wife former ballet dancer Bella, and four children, also received a similar tribute from 52-year-old son Scott. His publicist, Matt Glass, confirmed the tragic news this morning, saying: "It's very sad news. He passed away in the early hours of this morning. It was kept very private, he didn't want to tell. He wanted to keep it a secret." His eponymous London club on Covent Garden's Upper St Martins Lane will continue to operate "as normal", Mr Glass said. Stringfellow, who was worth around £37million, was born in Sheffield in 1940, the oldest of four boys. An early odd jobber, he served two weeks in jail in June 1962 for selling stolen carpets. 25 Stringfellow's eldest daughter Karen has paid tribute to her dad 25 She posted a picture on Facebook surrounded by hearts 25 The eccentric nightclub boss leaves behind third wife, 36-year-old former ballet dancer Bella, and four children. Credit: Chris McAndrew - The Times 25 The nightclub owner had privately battled cancer according to his publicist Credit: Getty Images - Getty 25 The millionaire prided himself on a reputation for debauchery Credit: PA:Empics Entertainment 25 Always surrounded by beautiful women he introduced topless table dancers to his clubs in the 1980s Credit: Rex Features 25 He was famed for his garish clothing, long hair and unbuttoned shirts Credit: Rex Features 25 Stringfellow started in the nighttime trade in the early 1960s and recalled booking acts including The Beatles, The Kinks and Jimi Hendrix to play at his clubs. 25 He famously refused to confirm or deny rumours that he had slept with 3,000 women Credit: Getty - Contributor 25 Stringfellow leaves behind his wife Bella, daughter Rosabella and son Angelo Credit: Instagram He began working in nightclubs the same year in his hometown and went on to build a dynasty of glitzy venues in the UK, New York and Los Angeles. In his early years in the 1960s he had legendary acts such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks and Fleetwood Mac play at his venues. After owning a string of clubs in the North he moved his family to London in 1980 where he would open his famed, self titled nightclub in Covent Garden. With its topless girls and lavish late night entertainment, the Stringfellow brand became a byword for debauchery and sexual kicks. 25 The nightclub owner, pictured meeting former PM Margaret Thatcher in 2005, was pals with the great and the good Credit: Rex Features 25 The nightclub tycoon's venues became celeb favourites around the world Credit: PA:Press Association 25 The nightclub owner married his third wife, former ballet dancer Bella, in Barbados on Valentines day in 2009 Credit: Getty - Contributor The mogul said his clubs had hosted A-listers including Prince, Marvin Gaye, Rod Stewart and Tom Jones. And it was not just celebrities who experienced Stringfellow's hospitality - Professor Stephen Hawking once joined him for dinner at one of the venues. Following this success he would go on to open venues in Paris, New York, Miami, Beverly Hills. 25 His self named nightclub will remain open as usual following his death Credit: Rex Features 25 The couple welcomed a daughter, Rosabella, in August 2013 Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd 25 Their son, Angelo, was born two years later in 2015 Credit: Instagram Richard Madeley tells frisky Peter Stringfellow, 77, he needs a vasectomy after cheeky chat on GMB 25 Stringfellow opened his famous London nightclub in 1980 Credit: Rex Features 25 Stevie Wonder & Marvin Gaye Talk to Peter Stringfellow at Stringfellows Night Club where They Performed A Late Night Set Finishing at 5am in 1981 Credit: Rex Features 25 Stringfellow pictured with comedian Freddie Star and Julian Lennon Credit: Rex Features 25 Stringfellow pictured with Bruce Forsyth in 1982 Credit: Rex Features 25 The club tycoon pictured meeting David Cameron in 2006 Credit: Rex Features 25 Here Stringfellow is pictured with Diana Dors at the first anniversary of the opening of his eponymous club in 1982 Credit: Rex Features 25 He also leaves behind daughter Karen and granddaughter Jamie Credit: Instagram 25 The millionaire was famed for his raunchy antics Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Stringfellow married his third wife Bella in 2009 and they welcomed their first child, Rosabella, in August 2013. In September 2015 the couple welcomed their son Angelo. He also has a son and daughter, Scott and Karen, from his previous marriages. Peter also had four grand children Taylor, Jaime, Thomas and Isabelle. He underwent treatment for lung cancer after being diagnosed in 2008. However he kept the diagnosis a secret for nearly six years, telling only family and close friends, until it was leaked in 2015. Tributes have been flooding in from the showbiz world as news of Stringfellow's tragic death spread. BBC Radio presenter Tony Blackburn said the King of Clubs was a "terrific guy who lived life to the full" and was "a wonderful person to be with". RIP Peter Stringfellow , so many amazing memories I have with this man , from when I first came to UK and he took care of me for years in his club to staying with him and his family in Spain . Rest in peace friend, my thoughts r with ur family . No doubt a legacy will live on . — Calum Best Official (@CalumBest) June 7, 2018 RIP Peter Stringfellow, I met this man a few times over the years. A great guy & king of the discos. My thoughts are with his family 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/5P1cUaSbRg — Frank Bruno MBE 🇬🇧 (@frankbrunoboxer) June 7, 2018 The “King of Clubs” & a great friend of @GMB #PeterStringfellow has died aged 77 . A controversial figure but anyone who actually met him loved him & I can’t help feeling the world’s a duller place this morning. Love & thoughts to his family xxx #rip pic.twitter.com/AxYNmgZS6N — Kate Garraway (@kategarraway) June 7, 2018 He added: "He was always full of fun and to me was a big part of he 60's and 70's. R.I.P. Peter x." Former boxer Frank Bruno tweeted: "RIP Peter Stringfellow, I met this man a few times over the years. A great guy & king of the discos. My thoughts are with his family." Comedy actress Su Pollard, who knew Stringfellow and had worked with him, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "He was a fantastic role model for other entrepreneurs. "When he was in the room - for a start, I used to think he was so handsome, I love men with long hair - he was lovely. Sending love to the family of our friend Peter Stringfellow. My husband @LincolnTownley loved him very much xxx pic.twitter.com/9Sig7gdat3 — Denise Welch (@RealDeniseWelch) June 7, 2018 So sorry to hear that Peter Stringfellow has died at the age of 77.He was a terrific guy who lived life to the full and was a wonderful person to be with.He was always full of fun and to me was a big part of he 60's and 70's .R.I.P. Peter x — Tony Blackburn (@tonyblackburn) June 7, 2018 "I liked him because he was always warm, he could have probably been in showbiz in another area, but he chose to be an entrepreneur." Pollard added: "You miss people that are large, and are givers. He gave of himself such a lot. He was a great person to be around, I feel for his family." GMB presenter Kate Garraway added: "The “King of Clubs” & a great friend of @GMB #PeterStringfellow has died aged 77 . A controversial figure but anyone who actually met him loved him & I can’t help feeling the world’s a duller place this morning. Love & thoughts to his family xxx #rip."<doc-sep>
Nightclub owner Peter Stringfellow - known as the King of Clubs - has died at the age of 77 after a battle with cancer. The businessman, who had wanted to keep his illness private, died in the early hours of Thursday morning after spending time in hospital, a spokesman said. His publicist, Matt Glass, told the Press Association: "It's very sad news. He passed away in the early hours of this morning. It was kept very private, he didn't want to tell. He wanted to keep it a secret." Owner of Stringfellows - the world famous gentlemen's club - he started in the nighttime trade in the early 1960s and recalled booking acts including The Beatles, The Kinks and Jimi Hendrix to play at his clubs. In 1980 he opened Stringfellows in Covent Garden in London's West End and went on to create venues in Paris, New York, Miami, Beverly Hills. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Bella and four children, Karen, Scott, Rosabella and Angelo. He was also grandfather to Taylor, Jaime, Thomas and Isabelle. Yorkshire-born Peter will be remembered for his flamboyant style, charismatic personality and for being a magnet for celebrities across the planet, with A-list stars across six decades flocking to perform and party at his various clubs around the world. His eponymous London club, on Upper St Martins Lane, is one of the capital’s longest-running nightlife venues after opening in 1980, and will continue to operate as normal. Those paying tribute include comedian Ryan Gleeson who said: "As a mark of respect, I’ll be wearing my thong at half-mast." His family has asked for privacy at this difficult time.