Last updated at 13:38, Monday, 02 June 2008

A west Cumbrian guitarist who played with Ozzy Osbourne and had a hit on Top of the Pops, has died after a year-long fight with cancer.

Barry Dunnery, second right, with his band Necromandus

Barry Dunnery, 56, from Egremont, gave up a glittering showbiz career to go back to normal life in West Cumbria as a joiner.

He was once begged by Ozzy Osbourne to join his band Blizzard of Oz and has been described as one of the country’s top 10 guitarists.

His band Violinski had a huge hit with Clogdance.

His brother is former It Bites guitarist Francis.

He died on Thursday and his funeral will be held at St Mary’s RC Church in Egremont on Wednesday.

His friend Tom Tyson said: “He was the best guitar player ever to come out of Cumbria. Everyone from Ozzy Osbourne downwards will be thinking of him.”

• Leave your tributes to Barry Dunnery here

First published at 11:43, Monday, 02 June 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk