A model who starred in a Levi’s ad and later became Madonna’s protégé has died aged 59.
Essex-born Nick Kamen was famed for his 1985’s Levis 501 commercial where he stripped off in a launderette to Marvin Gaye’s Heard It Through The Grapevine.
He also sang with Madonna on hit Each Time You Break My Heart in 1986.
Tributes have flooded in for Nick, real name Ivor Neville Kamen, led by pal Boy George.
He said: “R.I.P to the most beautiful and sweetest man Nick Kamen!”
Kamen was so charismatic in the Levi’s ad, Madonna reached out to collaborate.picture alliance via Getty ImageNick carved a carer for himself when he was just 18 after stripping down to his boxers for the hugely-successful Levi advert.
The advert led to a huge boost in sales for Levi and came forth in a countdown of the 100 greatest ads of all time.
It also caught the eye of Madonna, who reached out to Nick with a song she had written with Stephen Bray to join forces on.
Kamen died at age 59.RedfernsThe mega-star later said she was inspired by his “charisma” and “beautiful voice”.
“Each Time you Break My Heart” reached number five in the UK and led to a successful music career for Nick.
He went on to have four records between 1987 and 1992 – including a cover of the Four Tops’ 1996 hit Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever.
