Davy Jones of The Monkees dies aged 66 - click to see You tube film of Monkees

Sixties idol suffered heart attack.

Davy Jones, a member of the pop group the Monkees, has died in his sleep at his home in Florida.

Deborah Robicheau, his publicist, confirmed his death was the result of a heart attack.

The Manchester born singer was part of the group which was put together for a US TV series in 1966.

Alongside band mates Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork and Mike Nesmith, Jones shot to fame with hits such as Daydream Believer, Last Train to Clarksville, and the theme tune from the show Hey Hey We're The Monkees.

Jones began as an actor with a leading role in Coronation Street as Ena Sharples grandson at the age of fifteen and later appeared in Z Cars.

He gave up showbusiness to train as a jockey after his mother died but he was persuaded to pursue his acting career.

He won a role in the west End version of Oliver! and travelled with the show to Broadway where his career blossomed even before his audition for the Monkees. 

Jones said he had been inspired to pursue music by the Beatles' performance on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964.

"I thought, 'I want to do that, I want all those girls screaming for me,'" he remembered.

The Monkees were seen as Americas answer to The Beatles'  and had nine top 40 hits.

Music journalist Paul Gambaccini described Jones as having "phenomenal" charisma and said that in 2008, he was voted the top teen idol of all time by Yahoo! Music.

Radio presenter Dave Lee Travis said: "One of the things that people will probably be thinking about Davy Jones is, the fact that he was 66. He always looked like a little kid. I think even in his latter years he looked very, very young."

 Although the band was "put together" Ricky Wilson, of the Kaiser Chiefs, speaking at the NME awards, said that The Monkees were "just some guys having fun. Not in the sort of forced, manufactured way, although many would say they were the first manufactured band."

His fellow Monkees have led the tributes to their "long-time friend and fellow-adventurer"

Drummer/singer Mickey Dolenz, speaking to CNN, said "He was the brother I never had and this leaves a gigantic hole in my heart".

Mike Nesmith said he remembered "the healing times that were created for so many including us and I have fond memories. I wish him safe travels."

 Peter Tork, in his statement, said: "It is with great sadness that I reflect on the sudden passing of my long-time friend and fellow-adventurer, David Jones. His talent will be much missed. His gifts will be with us always."

Jones is survived by his third wife Jessica, his four daughters, Talia Jones, Sarah McFadden, Jessica Cramar and Annabel Jones, and three grandchildren, Harrison and Lauren McFadden and Phoenix Burrows