Mysterious London graffiti legend Helch dies as the art world pays tribute to a 'world class' artist

Helch, the anonymous guerrilla graffiti artist whose vast block-letter tags marked motorway bridges, rail viaducts and rooftops across London, has died, sending shockwaves through the street art community. The BSMT Space gallery in Dalston, which released his first print in 2022, broke the news, saying his death had 'left us broken hearted'.

Alternative London called him 'a world class artist' who 'embodied everything we love about graffiti' and said 'there will never be another like him again'.

One tag, painted on a railway viaduct close to Windsor Castle, was removed after the Queen was reportedly 'upset' it was spoiling the view.

A childhood friend from Hayes said Helch invented the name as a schoolboy: 'He is a London legend but also 1,000% a Hayes one too.'