Stevie Nicks' younger brother Christopher passes away aged 72 after cancer battle - as Mick Fleetwood pays tribute to the 'forever beacon of inspiration'

Stevie Nicks' younger brother Christopher has passed away at the age of 72 following a two-and-a-half year private battle with cancer.

Christopher's daughter Nixi announced his passing in an Instagram post on Friday and emotionally revealed her father was surrounded by family when he died.

Nixi posted a photo holding her father's hand alongside the caption: 'It is with a broken heart that I announce the passing of my father, Christopher Aaron Nicks, early this morning, surrounded by family.

'Some of you may know that he has spent the last 2.5 years battling a cancer diagnosis, and to some this may come as a shock.

'If this is news to you, please know it was because he never wanted people to worry about him that he kept this to himself.

'I know that he has left his mark on so many people, and this will leave many more than his immediate family with a piece of them missing.

'I know I speak for my dad when I say that his friends, his lost boys, meant the world to him.'

She concluded: 'Rest easy, Coach. We will see you in Neverland.'

Fleetwood Mac co-founder Mick Fleetwood paid an emotional tribute to the 'forever beacon of inspiration' on social media. 

He penned: 'The passing of Chris Nicks has brought so many memories of his amazing life.. much of course was shared connected to Fleetwood Mac.. 

'His zest for life will be a forever beacon of inspiration !! Chris you will be missed by me and I know the Family of Fleetwood Mac.Peace and love .. Mick Fleetwood.'

Christopher largely avoided the spotlight, though played a significant role throughout Stevie's career behind the scenes. 

Stevie previously revealed how much her brother means to her: 'My family is so important to me that last night in the middle of the night I started to cry because I miss my brother, and I needed to call him, and I didn't have any phone numbers.

'I don't have anybody's phone number cause I don't have a book.

'I needed to talk to Christopher because I just needed for somebody to tell me that it's all OK, and yeah, my family is very, very important to me, and you are important to me, and all the people that come to see me are important to me.'

Christopher welcomed his daughter Nixi with his ex-wife, Lori Perry-Nicks – who was previously one of Stevie’s backing singers.

In a post on Facebook, Lori wrote: 'He loved life! He was an anomaly… And they certainly broke the mold when they created him. There will never be another one like him.'