Bay City Roller star Les McKeown's widow reveals cause of death

Bay City Roller Les McKeown’s cause of death has been revealed by his widow Peko Keiko who also says others ‘made it easier’ for him to make some ‘wrong choices’.

Les, who was said to have left an estate worth £1.5million, passed away suddenly in April aged 65, leaving his wife Peko and son Jubei with unanswered questions.

In a post on Facebook, Peko told of the coroner’s findings following Les’s sudden death. She wrote: ‘Today we attended Poplar Coroner’s Court to learn the cause of death for Leslie.

Pained: Bay City Roller Les McKeown’s cause of death has been revealed by his widow Peko Keiko who also says others ‘made it easier’ for him to make some ‘wrong choices’ 

‘The coroner, Madam Hassell, recorded a verdict that Leslie died of a combination of natural causes, hypertrophic heart disease accelerated by type 2 diabetes mellitus made worse by the long term effects of high blood pressure and a history of alcohol & drug use.’

Jubei said: ‘My Dad always wore his heart on his sleeve so it wasn’t surprising to hear the coroner say that he had a ‘heavy heart’.’

Keiko added: ‘Leslie struggled with his addictions to alcohol so it confused and saddened us when people gave him drinks.

‘Ultimately, he made his own choices but people made it easier for him to make the wrong choices by putting alcohol in his hands.’

Heartbreak: Les, who was said to have left an estate worth £1.5million, passed away suddenly in April aged 65, leaving his wife Peko and son Jubei with unanswered questions

In a bid to raise money to help others in a similar position she wriote: ‘To honour Leslie’s memory in a positive way, we have chosen the charity Music Support UK if people want to send a thought or make a donation…

‘[To] support people in the music industry affected by anxiety, depression, addiction and alcoholism. The link: https://lesliemckeown.muchloved.com/Fundraising’. 

‘The single ‘Danny Boy’ by Les McKeown with Vanessa Anne Redd was released on iTunes, Apple Music and Spotify. The song was played during Les’ committal at his private funeral in London on Sunday 23 May. All proceeds go directly to Music Support UK https://musicsupport.org’ 

‘#Dannyboylesmckeown. Thank you, Keiko and Jubei’. 

It comes after Keiko candidly reflected on the late Bay City Rollers legend’s funeral, revealing she ‘cried until morning’ following the private service.

Shock: Les was one quarter of the hugely successful Scottish ensemble (L-R) Stuart ‘Woody’ Wood, Leslie, Alan Longmuir, Eric Faulkner and Derek Longmuir (bottom).

The window, who was married to the musician for more than 30 years, added that his ’cause of death is not yet known’ but she ‘wants to know’ in a lengthy Facebook post.

A a small ceremony was held at the City of London Crematorium in East London in May, with only 30 mourners able to attend because of Covid regulations.

Speaking of the ceremony which saw Trainspotting author and friend Irvine Welsh deliver a eulogy, she wrote: ‘May 23rd The funeral was successfully completed.

‘I’m sorry I didn’t tell you when the funeral was. We are back home, Jubei and I. We cried until morning.

‘We are decided to send it to the end with a smile on the people who came. Thanks everyone. Finished quietly peace For my husband Leslie.

Her love: Keiko added: ‘Leslie struggled with his addictions to alcohol so it confused and saddened us when people gave him drinks’