AN investigation has been launched into the death of Sir Cliff Richard's godson, the son of Hank Marvin, who was found dead in his bed on Monday night, at a hostel for the homeless where he had been living for five years.

Mr Dean Marvin, 34, had been estranged from his father, for more than a decade after challenging his ``Mr Nice Guy'' image in a press interview.

Sir Cliff spoke yesterday of his pain over the death of the drop-out son of his former guitar partner.

Sir Cliff said: ``It does not matter who the victim is, it is a sad indictment on society when people die in this way.

``It is more painful when the person is known to you, although I have not seen Dean since his family split in the late 60s.

``My sympathy goes out to his mum and dad who I know must be devastated.''

Mr Marvin, who had admitted a drink problem in the past, had few possessions when he died, not even the guitar which he once hoped would bring him fame and fortune.

Few of those living in poverty with him knew about his famous father.

The news was broken to Shadows lead guitarist Hank at his home in Brigadoon, Western Australia, where he moved with his second wife, Carole, and their two children shortly after Dean's newspaper outburst.

He was ``very shocked and saddened'' by the news of his son's death, said agent Brian Good, who was unable to say whether the star would be returning to Britain for his eldest son's funeral.

In 1983, Mr Marvin told a newspaper that religious differences had caused a rift between him and his father, a Jehovah's Witness.

He told the newspaper he took to drink, which later cost him his office job and left him virtually penniless, Eventually, he was reduced to surviving on dole handouts.

He added: ``The irony is that all I really want is to do the same thing as my father did - earn my living as a professional guitarist.''

Hank later dismissed his son's accusations as ``lies'' but admitted they were no longer friends.

He said: ``It's never ideal that a close relative should walk away from you like that but as I've matured I've realised that just because you have a blood bond, it doesn't mean you will always be friends.''

Mr Marvin lived with his mother Beryl and twin brothers Peter and Paul, now 33, and sister Philippa, now 30, in Mill Hill, north London, after his parents' divorce in 1971.

The children had enjoyed a privileged lifestyle and should have lived a charmed life as the offspring of one of the world's greatest guitarists.

Ms Maura Doheny, a secretary at the YMCA in Hornsey, north London, who knew Mr Marvin in the months before his death, said: ``It is very sad. He was a quiet, gentle person.

``We knew who his father was but he did not go around talking about it.

``Dean lived here because his rent was paid for him by income support and his meals were provided.

``He was found by a member of staff during a routine check yesterday. We do not know what caused his death.''

A post-mortem examination will be held at Hornsey mortuary tomorrow to establish what caused his sudden death. Police said there appeared to be no suspicious circumstances.

Hank Marvin has enjoyed continued success in his solo career and is due to return to Britain in March for a tour. His son Ben is also a musician.