Victoria Mary Clarke, the Irish journalist and writer who married the Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan, announced on Friday night that her sister Vanessa had died, almost two years after MacGowan's death in 2023. She described Vanessa as her best friend.

Her social media post included a tribute: 'My beautiful sister Vanessa died last night. She has been my best friend since we were babies and she was the embodiment of kindness and compassion and one of the most selfless and caring humans on this planet.'

She followed with: 'She was the best and the brightest and the smartest woman you could meet and she looked after everyone around her and she was interested in everything.'

'We were all blessed to have had her in our lives even though it wasn’t nearly long enough. I’m devastated without her and she will leave an enormous void in our lives.'

'She loved @shanemacgowanofficial like a sister and he adored her so I hope and pray that he was waiting for her when she crossed over and that he is looking after her and that she is feeling the love that we are all sending her for her journey onwards.'

'TBless you my darling sister I love you forever.'

The Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan died in November 2023 of pneumonia after years of declining health.

Victoria first met her late husband when she was 16 years old at the Royal Oak pub in North London in December 1982. The couple - who had a eight year age difference - began dating in 1986 and married in 2018, celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary just days before Shane died.

Victoria has spoken about their relationship in past interviews, saying: 'My life changed completely when I met him and it was like this missing piece of my life has arrived.' She has described how they shared 'pure, unconditional love' for each other, which meant they were 'unable to hold grudges'. 'We both did things that other couples would totally break up over. Being unfaithful to each other, most people would think that’s a dealbreaker. But we just absolutely loved each other, completely and utterly.'

Irish singer Imelda May was among the first to offer condolences, writing: 'I’m so sorry. She was so vivacious, beaming with love and lovely to be around. She’ll be missed by many. I love you to bits.' Other fans also shared messages of sympathy, underscoring Vanessa's described warmth and the close bond she shared with Clarke and the MacGowans.

The post underscores the close circle surrounding Shane MacGowan and the wider community of fans and peers who have remembered both him and the sister who stood beside Clarke through years of public life and private loss.