Roxette singer Marie Fredriksson has died.

The Listen To Your Heart hitmaker passed away in hospital yesterday on Monday (December 9), at the age of 61, from complications relating to a long-term illness.

A statement released by Fredriksson's family said: "It is with great sadness that we have to announce that one of our biggest and most beloved artists is gone. Marie Fredriksson died on the morning of December 9.

"Marie Fredriksson is most mourned by her husband Mikael Bolyos and their two children."

The Swedish singer was one half of Roxette with Per Gessie, and the duo enjoyed huge pop success in the 80s and early 90s with singles such as The Look, Joyride and Dressed For Success.

Power ballad, It Must Have Been Love, featured in the 1990 hit movie, Pretty Woman, which starred Julia Roberts and Richard Gere as an unlikely couple that meet and fall in love.

Fredriksson was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2002 and took a break from performing after the doctors' advice. She made a recovery from the condition in 2009 and returned to performing with Roxette. However, her illness returned in 2016 and the star - who had also released several solo albums throughout her career - permanently gave up touring. 

According to reports in Sweden, she will be buried in a private ceremony with only close family and friends in attendance.

Fredriksson spoke openly about her illness back in 2013 in a video (in Swedish) below.