A member of iconic 1980s band Depeche Mode left a staggering £46m in his will.
Andy Fletcher, who was the keyboardist of the band that was founded in 1980, passed away in May 2022.
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Depeche Mode keyboardist and co-founder Andrew Fletcher has left his wife and children a multi-million pound will
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Depeche Mode has sold 100 million records worldwide and continues to tourCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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Fletcher died suddenly at his home in London in 2022. Credit: Rex
Will records show he left most of his net worth of £46,801,903 to wife Grianne and their children Megan and Joe.
The musician was with his wife for 29 years before his sudden death.
Fletcher was due to begin recording the band’s 15th album six weeks after he died of an aortic dissection at his London home.
The 60-year-old co-founded the electronic music band from Essex.
He played alongside Dave Gahan, Martin Gore and Vince Clarke.
Fletcher met Gore in sixth form at Nicholas Comprehensive, which he attended with fellow ’80s icon Alison Moyet.
Despite dropping out of school to become an insurance clerk, he soon devoted himself entirely to music and helping start a band.
Together they have sold 100 million records worldwide with 54 UK singles and 17 top ten albums.
Their hit singles included New Life, Enjoy the Silence and Just Can’t Get Enough.
Depeche Mode continues to perform, but only with Gahan and Gore taking the stage.
Depeche Mode Glasgow Hydro 31 January 2024.mov
In late 2020, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame where Fletcher spoke publicly with his bandmates for the last time.
Despite Gahan and Gore continuing their work with the band, Fletcher is never far away.
Speaking to The Guardian, Gahan said: “I keep expecting to hear him outside my room.
“Or smell it while he’s lighting a cigarette. ‘Put the damn thing out, Fletch! I’ve got to sing later!’
Over the years, Fletcher eventually took on the role of businessman and spokesperson for the band.
Depeche Mode didn’t always have a full-time manager, so Fletcher took care of the band’s legal affairs and other business needs in the music industry, which he later admitted he found fascinating.
He would also be the one to announce new albums, tours or any other news about the band.
At the time of his death, the band said they were “shocked and filled with immense sadness at the untimely death of our dear friend, family member and bandmate.”
They added that Fletcher had a “heart of gold”.
He was “always there when you needed support, lively conversation, a good laugh or a cold pint”.
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Martin Gore (left) and Dave Gahan (centre) continue to tour and release their 15th album after Fletcher’s deathCredit: PA
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Gore and Fletcher met in the sixth grade where they studied alongside ’80s icon Alison MoyetCredit: AP: Associated Press
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Depeche Mode paid tribute to Fletcher saying he had a ‘heart of gold’Credit: Getty Images – Getty
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