Pete Burns, Lead Singer of Dead or Alive, Has Died

— -- Pete Burns, the gender-bending lead singer of '80s British new wave band Dead or Alive, has died.

According to a statement posted to his Twitter page, Burns passed away on Sunday from a heart attack. He was 57.

"All of his family and friends are devastated by the loss of our special star," the statement read. "He was a true visionary, a beautiful talented soul and he will be missed by all who loved and appreciated everything he was and all of the [sic] wonderful memories [he] has left is [sic] with."

Dead or Alive scored a smash in 1985 with the song "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)." The song was later interpolated by rapper Flo Rida, who turned it into the 2011 #1 hit "Right Round." In 1986, Dead or Alive scored a second U.S. hit with "Brand New Lover."

The band continued to record on and off for the next three decades. Burns also had a solo career, and in his native U.K., became a reality TV star thanks to his headline grabbing appearance on "Celebrity Big Brother" in 2006. Burns was well-known for his extensive cosmetic surgery, and appeared in a British TV special called "Pete Burns' Cosmetic Surgery Nightmares."

Burns is survived by his partner, Michael Simpson, and his ex-wife, Lynne Corlett, with whom he remained friendly. Their names appear to be attached to the statement released online.