Shane MacGowan’s widow claims the singer contacted her from the grave

Shane MacGowan’s widow has claimed she received a message from the late singer from beyond the grave.

The Pogues frontman was diagnosed with viral encephalitis before his death on November 30.

Now his wife Victoria Mary Clarke has told how the singer encouraged her in recent days to pick up a guitar and play.

Sharing a picture of her guitar on Instagram, she wrote: “I haven’t played guitar since @shanemacgowanofficial died but last night when I was watching TV he kept nudging me to open his desk drawer.

“I tried to ignore the nudges and keep watching TV, but something wouldn’t let me and I had to get up and open the drawer.

“There was a pick in the drawer, so I took it and then I picked up the guitar and played some chords.

“And it really felt like there was an energy coming through and creating a melody!!!

“Who knows what we’re capable of on the other side? I know it felt really good to play guitar!”

The journalist had previously paid a heartfelt tribute to MacGowan on Christmas Day – his 66th birthday.

The journalist, who had been with the star since the tender age of 16, wrote: “Today is really, really hard, much harder than I expected. I just can’t stop crying and want to be with him so much it physically hurts.”

“I don’t know how people get through it, but I know they do and that people feel joy even after they lose the person.

“Shane always said that even though he was born on Christmas, he was more concerned with the fact that it was Jesus’ birthday and that was the most important thing about Christmas for him. So I’m asking Jesus and the angels to help me today.”

MacGowan died “peacefully” on the morning of November 30, surrounded by his wife Victoria and family.

In a statement on behalf of Clarke, his sister Siobhan and his father Maurice, the Pogues’ official Instagram account said: “It is with deepest sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of SHANE MACGOWAN.

“Shane passed away peacefully at 3am this morning (November 30, 2023) surrounded by his wife Victoria and family. Prayers were said and last rites were administered, bringing comfort to his family.

“He leaves behind his wife Victoria, sister Siobhan and father Maurice, his family and a wide circle of friends. Further details will be announced shortly but the family ask for privacy at this very sad time.”

His funeral took place in December at Saint Mary of the Rosary Church in Nenagh, Co Tipperary.

U2 frontman Bono gave a reading, while Hollywood actors Johnny Depp and Bob Geldof performed the “Prayers of the Faithful.”