Madonna and Blur producer William Orbit dies aged 69

Acclaimed British music producer William Orbit, known for his work with acts including Madonna, Blur, All Saints and U2, has died at the age of 69.

A statement released on Friday by Orbit's family and friends "with profound sadness" said he died at home on 23 July. No cause of death was given.

"He will be greatly missed by us and by so many whose lives he touched through his music, friendship and kindness," the statement said.

North London-born Orbit, who real name was William Wainwright, helped to reinvigorate Madonna's career in 1998 with the album Ray of Light, which blended electronic dance music and ambient techno with pop and trip-hop.

It went on to win three Grammy Awards and remains, for many people, the Queen of Pop's greatest record.

Spice Girl Mel C paid tribute, posting that it had been "such an honour to have worked with this great man" on her 1999 debut solo album Northern Star

"Sending all my love," she added.

Skunk Anansie frontwoman Skin noted: "Been dancing to his music for literally decades, thank you for all the great music we shall have forever."

Sister Bliss from fellow London dance act Faithless wrote: "Genius and pioneer... wouldn't have a life in music without him."

Modern electro-pop artist Georgia added: "It was an honour to work with William, I will cherish it forever, long may he live with the electronic acid sounds in the sky."

Speaking to the Official Chart company in 2015 about the process of making Ray of Light, Orbit said: "We got in studio, broke all the rules and didn't really think about the consequences.

"I'm very proud of my work on that record - I think it still holds up today," added the musician and composer.

Madonna and Orbit combined again to great effect in 1999 on her number two UK chart hit Beautiful Stranger, which he co-wrote and played on.

The track, which earned them another Grammy, also featured on the soundtrack to the second Austin Powers movie, The Spy Who Shagged Me.

In 2000, Orbit worked on Madonna's album Music, as well as releasing his own Grammy-nominated solo LP, Pieces In A Modern Style - a critically acclaimed electronic-classical crossover record.

He and Madonna reunited in 2012 when he produced six tracks on her MDNA album.

With Blur, Orbit produced the 1999 album 13, which saw the Britpop band take a darker lyrical turn, providing hit singles such as Tender, Coffee & TV and No Distance Left To Run.

He later worked on their track Sweet Song from 2003's Think Thank album.

Blur abandoned their 2012 comeback album sessions after months of "amazing" work together, Orbit told the NME at the time.

Orbit's collaboration with another pop star Pink titled Feel Good Time, from the soundtrack of 2003 film Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, brought more success, reaching number three in the UK and bagging another Grammy nomination.

His other credits included U2's 2002 single Electrical Storm and All Saints' chart-topping album Saints & Sinners, containing the Orbit-produced hits Pure Shores and Black Coffee.

Group member Shaznay Lewis and Orbit wrote the dream-pop song Pure Shores for a scene in the 2000 adventure film The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

Lewis posted a broken heart emoji in response to the news of his death.