According to audience accounts in the Mail, the auditorium at London’s Aldwych Theatre was filled with “gasps” when the stars came out and broke the news to the crowd during a performance on Wednesday night.

Lead actor Zurin Villanueva was reportedly seen crying as she helped deliver the news to fans, before the show resumed for its second half.

The statement from the cast was “poignant” and “sombre”, theatregoers said, with the show reflecting the idea that Turner herself “would have wanted the show to go on”.

News of the “What’s Love Got to Do with It” singer’s death was first announced by her representative in a statement.

“Tina Turner, the ‘queen of rock’n’roll’ has died peacefully today at the age of 83 after a long illness in her home in Kusnacht near Zurich, Switzerland,” the statement read.

“My beloved queen, I love you endlessly,” Beyonce wrote in a message on her official website. “I’m so grateful for your inspiration, and all the ways you have paved the way.

“You are strength and resilience. You are the epitome of power and passion. We are all so fortunate to have witnessed your kindness and beautiful spirit that will forever remain.

“Thank you for all you have done.”

A tribute on Tina Turner’s official social media accounts has hailed the singer’s “boundless passion for life”.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tina Turner,” the post said.

“With her music and boundless passion for life, she enchanted fans worldwide and inspired future stars. We say goodbye to a dear friend who leaves us her greatest work; her music. Tina, we will miss you dearly.”

Tina Turner, the queen of rock’n’roll behind hits such as “What’s Love Got to Do with It”, has died aged 83 at her home in Switzerland.

The Independent’s Isobel Lewis look back at her remarkable 60-year music career.

A nice find from one of my colleagues is this 2009 feature on the top moments for our then-culture critics.

The late, great Andy Gill attended Tina Turner’s show at the Köln Lanxess Arena, and wrote:

A lesson in how superstars should tackle valedictory spectaculars, Tina Turner’s show contained all the eye-catching effects, from cantilevering stages and flame-throwers to troupes of well-drilled hoofers, but the headliner’s extraordinary energy and the effortless soul power of her voice were the most impressive aspects of the performance.

US Vice President Kamala Harris has paid tribute to the late Tina Turner.

“Tina Turner was a spectacular light whose life was a testament to all those who believe in what can be, unburdened by what has been,” she wrote on Twitter.

“From Nutbush, TN to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, her strength, voice, and signature moves inspired millions. Tina Turner was simply the best.”

In a 1986 interview with Luce Cinecitta, Turner spoke movingly about why she turned down the leading role of Celie, a Black woman living in the 1900s South, in Steven Spielberg’s The Color Purple, telling interviewer and Italian television host Serena Dandini that it reflected “too much back on my life with my ex-husband”, the late Ike Turner, who was violent and abusive to her during their marriage.

“I mean, I’m talking always to the press about my life and now to do a movie? I’m just dragging myself down,” she said. “I’m trying to forget the past because it’s done. It’s over. I finished that part of my life, and I’m not going to do a part that will remind me of what I’ve lived already. I think Steve understood that I couldn’t do it for that reason, finally, after I really expressed what it was.”

The part ultimately went to Whoopi Goldberg and earned her an Oscar nomination.

In 1995, Tina Turner recorded one of her best known songs as she performed the titular theme for GoldenEye, Pierce Brosnan’s first outing as 007 agent Bond.

However, Turner very nearly wasn’t the voice of “GoldenEye”, after originally dismissing a “really rough” demo sent to her by the track’s songwriters, U2’s Bono and The Edge.

The Independent’s Isobel Lewis has the full story below.

Dionne Warwick has paid tribute to her “longtime friend” Tina Turner.

“Another longtime friend has made her transition,” she wrote on Twitter. “Not only will I miss that eternal ball of energy named Tina Turner but the entire world will also find this void in their lives.

“My condolences to her husband and other members of her family. Rest in Peace my friend!”

Tina Turner shared way she wants to be remembered in reflective final interview weeks before her death

Tina Turner shared the way she wants to be remembered in her final interview released one month before her death on Wednesday, aged 83.

Six weeks ago, Turner took part in her last interview with The Guardian as part of the paper’s The Q&A column.

The singer gave moving answers to a question about her greatest fear, saying: “I never want to go back; I fought so much through my life, that I have to keep going forward.”

However, her most poignant comment came when asked how she would like to be remembered.

“As the Queen of Rock’n’Roll,” Turner replied.

“As a woman who showed other women that it is OK to strive for success on their own terms.”

The Independent’s Isobel Lewis has the full story.