Benjamin Zephaniah: British writer and poet dies aged 65

Writer and poet Benjamin Zephaniah has died aged 65, after being diagnosed with a brain tumour eight weeks ago.

A statement posted on X confirmed that he died in the early hours of Thursday morning (December 7).

“Benjamin’s wife was by his side throughout and was with him when he passed,” the post read. “We shared him with the world and we know many will be shocked and saddened by this news. Benjamin was a true pioneer and innovator, he gave the world so much. Through an amazing career including a huge body of poems, literature, music, television and radio, Benjamin leaves us with a joyful and fantastic legacy”.

Zephaniah was born in Handsworth, Birmingham on April 15 1958, which he described as the "Jamaican capital of Europe".

He began performing poetry locally in his early teenage years, soon before leaving school aged 13.

Zephaniah moved to London in 1979 at the age of 22 and published his first book, Pen Rhythm.

His work was heavily influenced by Jamaica, and as Zephaniah's profile grew he was credited with bringing Dub Poetry into British living rooms.

He also wrote five novels including Refugee Boy, about political asylum, and Face, about a boy who suffers facial injuries after an accident.

On top of his writing career Zephaniah was an actor and appeared in the BBC drama series Peaky Blinders between 2013 and 2022, where he played the role of preacher Jeremiah "Jimmy" Jesus.

He also had minor roles in tv programmes including the Bill and Crucial Tales in the 1980’s and 90s.

Tributes have poured in for Zephaniah, with writer Michael Rosen saying: "The tragic terrible news has come to me that Benjamin Zephaniah's family have announced that Benjamin has died. I'm devastated. I admired him, respected him, learnt from him, loved him. Love and condolences to the family and to all who loved him too."

A statement from the Black Writers' guild, which Zephaniah helped establish, said: "Our family of writers is in mourning at the loss of a deeply valued friend and a titan of British literature. Benjamin was a man of integrity and an example of how to live your values."