Davy Jones was with his horses before he died

Former Monkees star Davy Jones had been with his horses only moments before the heart attack that claimed his life last Wednesday.

Jones' representative Helen Kensick said in a statement: “Jones died after spending a happy family weekend with his wife, Jessica Pacheco, and her family riding horses.

“There was no sign of illness or of anything being wrong,” she said.

“He died of a massive heart attack while back at the stables with his horses. The medical examiner has confirmed his cause of death.”

He was an accomplished rider and horses were a huge part of his life. He leapt to fame in the 1960s as the lead singer of the Monkees, a made-for-television band.

Fifty-eight episodes were made and the Monkees enjoyed a string of hits, many of which remain popular today.