Bee Gees star Robin Gibb died due to kidney failure

Robin Gibb's son RJ has revealed that the Bee Gees star died due to kidney failure, not cancer, despite a long-running battle with the disease.

Speaking of his father's tragic death this month (20 May, 2012), RJ clarified the cause of death and the days leading up to the star's death.

"The end was peaceful and dignified, there were no theatrics. It was only later that I cried and cried," says RJ in an interview with the Sunday Express, "It wasn't the cancer that killed my father; those reports are wrong.

"Dad had actually gone into remission and the cancer was completely unrecognisable, it was too small to detect. No scan could see it. He actually died of kidney failure.

"Three days before, he was sitting up and watching DVDs and then suddenly he had a seizure. He was then dosed with sedatives to deal with the side effects of his chemotherapy and his liver just couldn't process them.

RJ also spoke of plans for Gibb's funeral, including tracks selected to honour the tragic star.

"We've been discussing hymns and songs," he added. "There will be some Bee Gee tracks, though we don't know which yet, and maybe Roy Orbison's 'Crying'. My father loved Roy's music and they were great friends."

Below: star tributes to Robin Gibb and Bee Gees in pictures