Sebastian Horsley: Soho Dandy Found Dead

Sebastian Horsley, aged 47, was today found dead in his Soho flat, after a suspected heroin overdose. The artist, writer and probably the last gentleman in London to be a dandy at a professional level was best known for his voluntary crucifixion in the Philippines as part of research for a series of paintings. He was also well-known for his witticisms, his capacity for hard drugs, copious and well-documented sex with prostitutes and his wildly dysfunctional childhood which he wrote about in his memoir Dandy in the Underworld. This memoir was adapted for stage with the same title, and opened just last week at Soho Theatre; the run is due to continue until 10 July. What does a theatre do when the subject of one of its productions dies? We shall have to wait and see. Meanwhile, farewell Sebastian: Soho will be a far less colourful and dandified place without him. Image author's own, showing a Horsley-inspired Chap at the 2007 Chap Olympics