JOHN Morgan, who played the drums for chart-toppers The Wurzels for 40 years, has died at the age of 80.

John of Whitecroft, contracted coronavirus and died at Gloucester Royal Hospital last Saturday (December 18).

In a statement posted on The Wurzels Twitter account, Tommy Banner, who is the longest serving member of the band, said: "We can’t believe we shan’t ever see you behind those drums again - we thought you were indestructible.

"We shall miss you John, you grumpy old b-----r, with your sharp, quirky Forest wit - oh, you were also a bloomin’ great drummer, like your hero Charlie Watts."

Manager of The Wurzels, Sil Willcox, said: "We are all in shock, Morgy had the driest of humour and the kindest of hearts and all our thoughts are with his family.

"The band intend to continue but John will always be remembered and loved by his fans, friends and band."

The band has said its last two concerts of the year - in Exmouth and Congresbury - will go ahead in tribute to "Morgy".

In a statement on Twitter they added: "If you’re coming to either then be assured we are going to do him proud."

In an interview with Forester reporter Andy Sherwill in 2019, he spoke about his early life and musical memories.

said his earliest musical memory was having a trio that featured a violin and a cello come into my school in Bream.

He said: "I thought the experience was amazing and I felt it was an ideal way of earning a living.

"And dreams do come true, despite my mother saying I should get ’a proper job’."

John reflected on his first band with Chas Phipps and Phil Preest which was formed while they were at school.

The played in local pubs and travelled as far as Ross and Lydbrook, "It was like going on tour," he quipped.

During the early sixties John performed with Kingsley Ward, who founded Rockfield Studios in Monmouth and was the drummer for the Charles Kingsley Combo which he ran with his brother Chas.

John also played for influential Newent-born producer Joe Meek in London and said of his experience performing at his Holloway Road studio: "He was an incredible engineer, even if he was a strange man to work with.

John also revealed that he had a brass band background having played with both Bream and Yorkley bands.