Madonna and Blur producer William Orbit dies aged 69

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.

Nicole Appleton of girl group All Saints wrote, external: "We were fortunate enough to work with him on many occasions and on many songs. In the studio, he made me feel so confident, comfortable and always brought the best out in me.

"He was a treasure in the music industry and we had the most amazing times in the studio and socially. We will forever celebrate him as a music icon. Sending love to all his friends and family."

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."

With Blur, Orbit produced the 1999 album 13, which saw the Britpop band take a darker and rawer 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 Tank album.

Orbit's collaboration with pop star Pink, 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 signature soundscape gave many of his recordings a dreamy, blissful aura - whether on upbeat hits by Madonna or Pink, or slower songs like Pure Shores and Black Coffee by All Saints.

Group member Shaznay Lewis and Orbit wrote Pure Shores for the 2000 film The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, and the track went to number one in the UK.

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

His other collaborators included Beth Orton, including co-writing her 1996 single She Cries Your Name; and U2, producing the Irish band's 2002 single Electrical Storm.

Orbit released 12 studio albums as a solo artist, the best-received being Pieces in a Modern Style, which featured his interpretations of various classical pieces.

The album reached number two in 2000, and a dance remix of his version of Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings was a club smash and went to number four in the singles chart.