Billy Paul, singer of Me and Mrs. Jones, dies

The American soul singer, Billy Paul, has died at the age of 80.

He was best known for his 1972 hit Me and Mrs. Jones, which won a Grammy award and reached number one in the United States (U.S.)

A statement on his website said he died on Sunday of a “serious medical condition”. The NME music magazine has reported that this was pancreatic cancer.

Mr. Paul, who was born as Paul Williams in Philadelphia, helped shape the course of modern R&B music.

In his youth, he performed alongside soul legends including Charlie Parker and Nina Simone.

His biggest hit, Me and Mrs. Jones, about an extra-marital affair, has been covered by artists including Michael Buble and Hall & Oates.

In 2003, Mr. Paul won a $500,000 (then £250,534) lawsuit for royalties owed for it from 1994 to 2002 by Assorted Music.