The dub poet and author of collections including Talking Turkeys has died of a brain tumour. Benjamin Zephaniah, the British poet whose work often addressed political injustice, has died aged 65.

His family said that he died by his wife's side after an eight-week battle with brain cancer. A much-loved poet, Zephaniah also played the street preacher Jeremiah Jesus in six series of Peaky Blinders between 2013 and 2022.

His death was sadly announced via his Instagram page. It read: "It is with great sadness and regret that we announce the death of our beloved husband son and brother in the early hours of this morning.

"Benjamin was diagnosed with a brain tumour eight weeks ago".

Benjamin Obadiah Iqbal Zephaniah was born in the Handsworth area of Birmingham in 1958. His father was a Barbadian postman, and his mother was a Jamaican nurse.

A dyslexic, Zephaniah left school at the age of 13 unable to read and write - but went on to become one of modern Britain's most famous poets. He revealed that he was inspired to become a writer when he was gifted an old manual typewriter.

Zephaniah published many collections of poetry as well as five novels and seven plays. He was known for performing innovative "dub poetry" to reggae beats and for his political campaigning.

In 2008 Zephaniah was ranked one of Britain's top 50 post-war writers by The Times and this followed up with his autobiography 'The Life And Rhymes Of Benjamin Zephaniah' was nominated for the Costa Book Award in 2018.

As well as his Peaky Blinders role, Zephaniah appeared on The Bill and was a panellist on QI in 2020.

The proud Brummie told the Birmingham Mail: "In Peaky Blinders I’m called Jeremiah Jesus. "The real character was known to everybody as Jimmy Jesus"

Since the news of his death was announced many former friends, colleagues and fans have paid tribute to his memory on social media.

Commenting on Benjamin's death, Labour MP Diane Abbott said: 'So sad to hear about the death of poet Benjamin Zephaniah. A great man and a trailblazer.'

Radio presenter Gemma Cairney shared her condolences, as she wrote: 'What heartbreaking news. Deepest condolences to the family. Benjamin was one of our greatest.'

May he rest in peace.