Petersen, who joined brothers Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb in the 1960s and played on hit tracks including “I Started A Joke”, “To Love Somebody”, and “I Just Gotta Get A Message To You”, died on Monday.

He contributed to four Bee Gees albums, including several songs on the ’70s album “Cucumber Castle”, before leaving the group.

Over the last five years, Petersen has played with the “Best Of The Bee Gees” tribute show, his publicist Sue Camilleri said.

The show’s production manager Gary Walker said Petersen had played on Saturday, and was “happy and his usual cheeky self” on Sunday.

“It was very sudden,” he told the PA news agency, confirming that Petersen died in his sleep early on Monday morning.

Meanwhile, manager Greg Shaw said in a statement given to PA: “I’ve known Colin for 34 years and was thrilled when he agreed to bring his career full circle by joining the ‘Best Of The Bee Gees’.

“His endearing nature and unabashed storytelling added unique perspectives to the shows and he was loved on and off stage. It was an honour to have called him my friend.”

Bee Gees star Maurice died unexpectedly in 2003 at age 53 owing to complications from a twisted intestine, while his twin Robin died in 2012, aged 62, from liver and kidney failure after battling colorectal cancer.

Before his music career, Petersen was a child actor, starring in the title role of the 1956 Australian film “Smiley” – a character that earned him his nickname. Petersen is survived by his two sons Jaime and Ben.