The Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts, born in Kingsbury and raised in Wembley, has died at the age of 80.

The musician had been a member of the rock group since 1963.

Brent & Kilburn Times: Charlie Watts, drummer with the Rolling Stones, as the band film at the LWT (London Weekend Television) studios in London in 1968.Charlie Watts, drummer with the Rolling Stones, as the band film at the LWT (London Weekend Television) studios in London in 1968. (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

A statement from his London publicist Bernard Doherty said: “It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Charlie Watts.

"He passed away peacefully in a London hospital earlier today surrounded by his family."

Charlie had celebrated the milestone birthday in June, but announced he would be missing the band's upcoming US tour as he was recovering from a medical procedure.

Mr Docherty's statement continued: “Charlie was a cherished husband, father and grandfather and also, as a member of The Rolling Stones, one of the greatest drummers of his generation.

“We kindly request that the privacy of his family, band members and close friends is respected at this difficult time.’’

As a child, Charlie lived in a prefab in Wembley, at 23 Pilgrims Way.

Brent & Kilburn Times: From left to right; Charlie Watts, Mick Jagger, Ronnie Wood and Keith Richards during a press conference at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, New York City where they announced their World Tour 2002/2003.From left to right; Charlie Watts, Mick Jagger, Ronnie Wood and Keith Richards during a press conference at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, New York City where they announced their World Tour 2002/2003. (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

He originally trained as a graphic artist, then started playing drums in London's rhythm and blues clubs, where he met Brian Jones, Mick Jagger, and Keith Richards.

Earlier this month, it was announced that Charlie was to miss the band’s forthcoming US tour.

A spokesman for him said at the time he was “unlikely to be available for the resumption of the Rolling Stones USA No Filter Tour this fall” as he recovered from an unspecified medical procedure.

The band are due to resume the tour Stateside in September, following its postponement last year amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Brent & Kilburn Times: The Rolling Stones rehearsing at the Saville Theatre, London, left to right, Mick Taylor, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Charlie Watts (behind) in 1969The Rolling Stones rehearsing at the Saville Theatre, London, left to right, Mick Taylor, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Charlie Watts (behind) in 1969 (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Alongside frontman Sir Mick and guitarist Keith Richards, Watts was among the longest-standing members of the Stones, which has seen a shifting line-up of musicians including Mick Taylor, Ronnie Wood and Bill Wyman.

In 2004, Charlie was treated for throat cancer at London’s Royal Marsden Hospital and he was given the all-clear after a four-month battle with the disease, involving six weeks of intensive radiotherapy treatment.

He was diagnosed after discovering a lump on the left side of his neck.

Doctors performed a biopsy which confirmed the tumour was malignant and he was diagnosed with throat cancer in June that year.

His spokesman said at the time that Watts’ treatment had “not interfered with any tour or recording plans for the group, who have been ‘relaxing between work commitments’”.

Following his recovery, the band began work on their 22nd studio album, A Bigger Bang.

Charlie, who reportedly gave up smoking in the 1980s, said during an interview with Rolling Stone magazine at the time that he felt “very lucky” doctors had caught the cancer early.

Additional reporting by PA Media.