The Monkees star Michael Nesmith has passed away

Michael Nesmith, singer, guitarist and songwriter with The Monkees, has passed away. He was 78.

Nesmith died from heart failure at his home in Carmel Valley, California, on Friday, a spokesman for record label Rhino told BBC News.

In a statement, his family said he "passed away this morning in his home, surrounded by family, peacefully and of natural causes".

Fellow Monkees band member Micky Dolenz said he was "heartbroken" at having "lost a dear friend and partner".

"I'm so grateful that we could spend the last couple of months together doing what we loved best - singing, laughing, and doing shtick," he tweeted.

The quartet enjoyed hits like 'Daydream Believer' and 'I'm A Believer,' and starred in their own popular TV sitcom.

The group broke up in 1969, after which Nesmith scored two US chart hits with his First National Band. He also wrote the song 'Different Drum,' which became a major country hit for Linda Ronstadt.