A grieving Corinne Bailey Rae emerged in public for the first time since her husband was found dead of a suspected drugs overdose.

The Leeds born singer, 28, made a pilgrimage to lay a posy of heather she was carrying at the foot of a 32ft Easter cross at Otley Chevin, West Yorkshire, in memory of her saxophonist husband Jason Rae.

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Grieving: Singer Corinne Bailey Rae steps out for the first time yesterday to lay a posy at the foot of the cross in Otley, West Yorkshire, in memory of her husband Jason Rae, who died last weekend of a suspected drugs overdose

It is believed to be the first time the heartbroken singer has left her home since his death at a friend's flat on Saturday.

Yesterday an inquest heard that Jason, 31, died from a suspected overdose.

According to friends, Mr Rae, 31, was known to have addiction problems.

"He partied a lot and had struggled with drugs for years," said one.

His drinking and drug taking is said to have caused a rift with his Baptist wife Corinne. And neighbours said she would refuse to let him into their Leeds flat when he came home in a state.

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Religious: Committed Christian Corinne made a pilgrimage to the 32ft Easter cross at Otley, West Yorkshire, not far from her Leeds home

But friends insisted, despite husband Jason's lifestyle, their seven-year marriage was strong.

The couple met when Corinne, 29, was studying at Leeds University, working in a jazz club cloakroom and singing in church.

Her career soared immediately following the release of her self-titled debut album which topped the UK charts in 2006 and sold more than a million copies in the U.S.

She worked on Herbie Hancock's album River: The Joni Letters which won a Grammy award this year.

Husband Jason's band the Haggis Horns were enjoying their own success, including stints supporting Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson at last month's Brit Awards.

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Success: Jason, circled, enjoyed his own success with brass ensemble Haggis Horns, seen here performing (circled) at last month's Brit Awards performing with Mark Ronson, left

He said: "It's such a sad, sad thing, I'm sorry that I can't really put anything into words.

Tragic: Corinne and husband Jason were married for seven years before his tragic death

"However, I will say that he was an incredible dude, a lovely gentle man, one of the funniest f***ing people ever."

The band had just returned home from a three-month tour and Jason had reportedly hit the town with an old friend called Jim.

They spent the day drinking in Leeds on Good Friday then bought wine and headed back to Jim's flat around midnight.

A source said: "They carried on drinking and then crashed out. Jim went to his bedroom and Jason slept on his sofa. Jim didn't wake up till after dinner the next day and thought Jase was still asleep."

Police were called around 3.16pm but Jason was dead. A 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of supplying drugs and bailed.

In an interview 18 months ago with fanzine Funk'd, Jason said: "I could die tomorrow and think I've lived my life.

"The lifestyle is part and parcel of being a musician. It makes you feel separate from the rest of the world. There's more angst, torture and edge to my life."