Harry Styles‘ stepdad, Robin Twist, has died following a battle with cancer. He was 57.
“Harry’s stepfather, Robin Twist, sadly passed away this week after a long battle with cancer. The family asks for privacy at this time,” the family said in a statement sent to the BBC.
Twist married Styles’ mother, Annie Cox, in 2013. During the ceremony in Cheshire, Styles walked his mother down the aisle, also serving as best man. The couple recently celebrated their fourth anniversary.
The father and stepson are believed to have had a close relationship, and in the wake of Twist’s death, Styles’ One Direction bandmates are showing their support for the family on social media.
“What a kind, gentle and beautiful soul, a true rarity to find in today’s world,” Liam Payne wrote on Instagram. “Sometimes they really do take the best of us far too soon.”
Niall Horan wrote, “Those who had the pleasure of knowing Robin will know that he was the nicest, kindest, most generous, hilariously funny guy you’ll have met.” Added Louis Tomlinson on Twitter: “He was such a lovely kind and funny guy.”
Twist is survived by his wife and stepchildren Harry and Gemma as well as two children from a previous marriage, Mike and Amy.
Devastated to hear the news about Robin . He was the such a lovely kind and funny guy. Sending all my love to the whole family.
— Louis Tomlinson (@Louis_Tomlinson) June 22, 2017
You’ll be missed mate 🙁
— Louis Tomlinson (@Louis_Tomlinson) June 22, 2017