HUNDREDS are expected to celebrate the life of Merseyside musician Colin Vearncombe, aka Black, during a public memorial service at the Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool later this month.

Colin, best known for the 1987 hits Sweetest Smile and Wonderful Life, had been in critical condition in hospital, following a traffic accident near Cork airport and died on January 26.

Hundreds of friends, acquaintances and music fans are expected to attend the memorial service on February 19, which starts at 7pm.

It will be a celebration of Colin's life and all welcome to join his family to give him one last wonderful send off.

Colin had lived in Cork for ten years with wife Camilla and three sons and had been due to become a grandfather on St Patrick's Day with the expected birth of his eldest son's child.

In an interview the singer said he had moved to Cork because "I like my elbow room, and eccentricity is tolerated here."

In 1981 his debut single Human Features was issued on Birkenhead label Rox Records and quickly sold out of its initial pressing of 1,000 copies.

In 1985, Colin wrote and released the single Wonderful Life which became a worldwide hit after it was rereleased by A&M in 1987.

He released eight albums as Black and six under his own name, including last year’s Black album Blind Faith.

Among those paying tribute was friend and mentor, Liverpool singer/songwriter Pete Wylie, who tweeted: "Such terribly, terribly sad news about Colin Vearncombe RIP.

"I want to send all the love I can muster to Colin's parents, brother,& Partner,+ to all who loved him,and who he loved too.

"Wah! took Black on tour; I got Colin to join us for the encores, got him to sing on 'The Story Of The Blues',+ on TV too."

Globe columnist Peter Grant said: "We have lost one of Merseyside's greatest singer songwriters.

"I met this hugely talented man in 1999 at a showcase in the Bold Street Life Cafe in Liverpool.

"He had time for everyone. I recall his warm personality ... shy and self-effacing, but he knew what he wanted.

"He was a true professional who talked to me about how hard it was to get his songs out there.

"We sat at the bar and then he got up, shook my hand, and played one of the most intimate sets I have ever heard.

"Wonderful Life, Sweetest Smile and from the album I treasure to this day called The Accused two classic surefire hits Sleeper and Number One.

"Colin had so much potential, so much more to come. But at least we have the songs and the legacy."

Colin is survived by sons Max, Marius, and Milan, wife Camilla, brothers David and Rick, father Alan and mother Silvia, who ask that it be family flowers only.

Those wishing to make a donation in Colin's memory to one of two chosen charities: Bru Columbanus – a facility that provides 'home from home' accommodation to relatives of seriously ill patients in Cork Hospitals and has been a haven for Colin's family in the past few weeks.

You can donate to the charity at www.mycharity.ie/event/colinvearncombe