Grammy-nominated composer Nicholas Lloyd Webber dies from stomach cancer
Andrew Lloyd Webber's son Nicholas died Saturday.
The 43-year-old Grammy-nominated composer was critically ill with stomach cancer.
Andrew shared the news around 1:30 p.m. Calgary time Saturday.
"I am shattered to have to announce that my beloved elder son Nick died a few hours ago in Basingstoke Hospital. His whole family is gathered together and we are all totally bereft," he said in a statement on social media.
Nicholas is Webber's son with his first wife, Sarah Hugill, also the mother of his older sister, Imogen. The senior Webber has four other children.
Nicholas's musical The Little Prince, which he created in collaboration with James D. Reid and Theatre Calgary, premiered in the Max Bell Theatre in January 2016, with Andrew in attendance.
Former Theatre Calgary artistic director Dennis Garnhum was introduced to Nicholas by chance on a trip to London, which led to the unique co-production.
"I remember meeting Nick in a pub in London many years ago," Garnhum said, after learning of his passing. "We quickly hit it off and I learned he had a new musical of The Little Prince.
"He was gracious and kind and funny when he spent time with us at Theatre Calgary. Nick was indeed a little prince. He left us too soon. I'll miss his big, charming heart."
Andrew, whose musicals include Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats and Phantom of the Opera, was unable to attend the Broadway premiere of his new musical Bad Cinderella Thursday night due to Nicholas' illness.
Nicholas was nominated for a Grammy for his work on the cast album of Bad Cinderella.
With files from The Associated Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Breast cancer screening should start at age 40, Canadian Cancer Society says
The Canadian Cancer Society says all provinces and territories should lower the starting age for breast cancer screening to 40.
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Canadian-Israeli man shot dead in Egypt; claim links killing to Gaza
A Canadian man 'of Jewish Israeli descent' has been shot dead in the Egyptian city of Alexandria in a suspected criminal case, a security source said, while a previously unknown militant group said it carried out the attack in reaction to the war in Gaza.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.