Celine Dion co-writer Will Jennings dies aged 80 following battle with secret illness

Will Jennings, who helped write the iconic song My Heart Will Go On , has died at the age of 80.

The songwriter was well-known for collaborating with stars such as Celine Dion and Eric Clapton throughout his impressive career. Will died after suffering from an undisclosed illness for a while.

His cause of death has yet to be revealed. His close friend and musician Peter Wolf announced the news on Instagram as he shared a heartfelt tribute. Sharing a picture of himself stood with his arm around Will, Peter wrote: "'A Lot of Good Ones Gone' ... A sad time, the passing of Will Jennings, a maestro, brilliant mind and a gentle spirit."

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The tribute continued: "Will shared his talents with me, ever patient and generous, he was a treasured friend and teacher, enriching my life in so many ways. It was an enormous honor to have worked with such a musical genius for so many years."

Will's fans have also been paying tribute. One person described him as "one of the greats," while another said: "This is so sad. I'm so grateful to Will Jennings for the beautiful songs he left us with. May he rest in peace."

Another fan posted: "Rest in Power Will Jennings," while a fourth person wrote: "What a blow. RIP to a legend." Will has also been remembered as a "great lyricist".

Will had a hugely successful career and won a number of awards. He won his first Academy Award for Best Original Song for Up Where We Belong from An Officer and a Gentleman (1982). He took home another Oscar in 1997 for co-writing Celine Dion's My Heart Will Go On, which was featured in Titanic.

The songwriter was also nominated for six Grammy awards, taking home three. He won Song of the Year in 1993 for Eric Clapton's Tears in Heaven, which also won him a Golden Globe award.

Celine and Eric aren't the only stars Will collaborated with. He also worked with singers such as Whitney Houston, Jimmy Buffet, Barry Manilow and Diana Ross.

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