PUNK icon Toyah Willcox has paid tribute to her “wonderful” and “inspiring” father who has died at the age of 88.

Beric Willcox, of Wyre Piddle, died on Wednesday, July 29, after suffering a stroke.

Writing in her online blog, Pershore resident Ms Willcox said her heart was full of both immense pain and joy. “Part of me says ‘thank God! I knew him for 51 years!’,” she said.

“He was the most wonderful, inspiring, wise, infuriating and compassionate man.

“He was almost 89, but the other part of me recognised his frailties were becoming more painful and debilitating with every day.

“I miss phoning him to tell him how things are going and I miss sitting with him over the meal table, and I’m sure this pining will get worse for a while yet.”

The singer and actress, who is married to King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp, has just returned from Seattle where she spent a short time song writing following her father’s death.