Anthony John Thorpe, the accomplished guitarist best known for his work with the 1970s glam-rock ensemble The Rubettes, has passed away at age 80, just days before his 81st birthday. His final years were marked by declining health, yet those close to him observed that his mental acuity and characteristic sense of humour persisted throughout.

The Rubettes achieved swift commercial prominence following a television appearance in 1973, with their debut single climbing to the top of the charts. Throughout the decade, Thorpe's contributions helped establish the band as one of the era's most successful acts, accumulating over 30 million album sales across multiple releases before his exit in 1979. The group continues to perform and record today, preserving the glam-rock sound that defined their peak years.