Nick Kamen – Madonna ‘heartbroken’ as she pays tribute to model pal who ‘suffered too much’ after he dies aged 59
MADONNA today gave a “heartbroken” tribute to jeans ad hunk Nick Kamen who “suffered too much” after he died aged 59.
Model and singer Nick shot to fame stripping down to his white boxers in a launderette for the Levi’s TV commercial in 1985.
The model and singer has tragically died aged 59 after a battle with bone marrow cancer[/caption]He later had a top five hit with a track which was sent to him by an adoring Madonna.
And the Like A Virgin singer has now paid tribute to her pal by sharing pictures of the pair.
Alongside the nostalgic pictures she wrote: “It’s heartbreaking to know you are gone.
“You were always such a kind sweet human and you suffered too much.
“Hope you are happier wherever you are Nick kamen.”
Essex-born Nick — real name Ivor Neville Kamen — died from bone marrow cancer at his £1million Notting Hill flat on Tuesday evening.
His family said he had the disease for four years — and they had nicknamed him Lazarus because he had fought back from the brink of death so many times.
His tearful sister, Denise Kent, said: “He was a real fighter. He gave it everything and was in and out of hospital. He never gave up and put up such a good fight.
Boy George hailed Nick as ‘the most beautiful and sweetest man’[/caption]“He would always fight back and would not give up. He came back so often we would call him Lazarus after biblical character. He really did fight so hard.”
Actress Amber Bezer was one of the gawping girls in the Levi’s 501 commercial — and loved every minute.
Amber, now a 52-year-old mum of two, said yesterday: “It was every 17-year-old girl’s dream job.
“I was paid £300 a day to watch the most beautiful man in the world repeatedly strip off in front of me. We’d even get to see him doing press-ups between shoots to keep his muscles firm.
“The shoot took three days to get right and none of the girls there were complaining — and it was a thrill to get to know Nick between takes.
“He was a truly lovely, softly-spoken charming man.”
Alongside a picture of the pair, his pop star pal George posted yesterday: “R.I.P to the most beautiful and sweetest man Nick Kamen!”
Nick’s appearance in the ad — which saw him shed his clothes to Marvin Gaye’s hit I Heard It Through The Grapevine — also caught the eye of pop queen Madonna.
She sent him a track, Each Time You Break My Heart, which failed to make her True Blue album, and it became a worldwide hit in 1986.
Madonna once said she had been inspired by his ‘charisma’ and ‘beautiful voice’[/caption]Laundry put mum in a spin
By Dulcie Pearce, Dep Head of Features
NEVER in the history of laundry has putting a wash on been so sexy.
Nick Kamen became the frustrated housewife’s ultimate fantasy when he revealed his buff body — and he knew how to use a washing machine. A double threat, lads.
When he slowly unbuttoned his 501’s to slip them off for a spin, I can recall my wide-eyed mum stuttering: “If God made a man out of butter . . . ”
The advert made Levi’s a household name — and banished the notion that no man can look good keeping their socks on.
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Nick recorded it with backing vocals from Madge, who also appeared in the video, and it reached No5 in the UK.
Duran Duran star John Taylor also called him “one of the loveliest and gentlest men I ever met”.
Little Britain star Matt Lucas said: “If you didn’t have a crush on Nick Kamen in the 80s, you probably weren’t there. RIP.”
Nick went on to have a successful music career and released four LPs[/caption]