Cockney favourites Chas & Dave split

Chas Hodges, 65 and Dave Peacock, 64, who had a string of hits in the 1980's, have decided to go their separate ways following the death of Dave's wife Sue from lung cancer.

End of an era: Chas & Dave go their own ways

The band's agent, Barry Collings, said today: "Sadly Dave's beloved wife Sue passed away in July this year after over 30 years of blissful marriage.

"Understandably Dave has taken his loss very badly and he hasn't the heart to continue gigging and with regret he has decided to retire from the music business."

Chas & Dave pioneered a genre of music inspired by cockney slang, pub humour and music hall, which they dubbed Rockney'.

The duo formed in Enfield, north London in 1972 and spent several years touring the pubs around London and Essex in a mini.

Their self-produced debut album One Fing'*'Anuvver came out in 1975 and was championed by the DJ John Peel.

A recording deal with EMI soon followed and within a few years they became one of Britain's best-loved double acts.

Their hits included Rabbit, Aint No Pleasing You and Snooker Loopy - which featured vocals from players including Steve Davis, Dennis Taylor and Willie Thorne.

They became household names after recording ad jingles for Courage Best TV ads and theme tunes to Crackerjack, In Sickness and in Health and the cartoon Bangers & Mash.

The pair are also known for recording songs with Tottenham Hotspur FC for their FA Cup Final appearances in 1981, 1982 and 1987.

Their first collaboration with the club - Ossie's Dream (Spurs Are On Their Way To Wembley)' b/w Glory Glory, Tottenham Hotspur' rose to number five in the charts in May 1981.

In recent years they found themselves back in demand with bands such as The Libertines citing them as influences. They also played at Glastonbury in 2005.

Lead singer and pianist Chas Hodges today vowed to continue playing their hits under the new name of Chas And His Band.

Hodges said: "Obviously it's sad. It's the end of an era but the start of another one - the show goes on.

"I still see Dave every week and he's coping but I don't think he wanted to do the gigging any more.

"He has horses and he loves driving them round his grounds and painting gypsy wagons which he's very good at so I don't think he'll miss the gigging.

"Chas & Dave is a legendary name but I shall be taking over the gigs. I'll be doing the old songs as well as new ones and talking about Dave during the show."