The notorious drug smuggler died at home near Bridgend after he was diagnosed with the inoperable disease last year
03:35, 11 Apr 2016Updated 08:36, 11 Apr 2016
Howard Marks said he had "no regrets" as he battled the disease(Image: PA)
Notorious former drug smuggler and author Howard Marks has lost his battle with bowel cancer aged 70.
The Oxford graduate, known as 'Mr Nice', was diagnosed with the inoperable disease last year.
The father-of-four died at home near Bridgend, South Wales, the Guardian reported.
The sad news was confirmed by Marks’ friend, co-creator and founder of Loaded magazine, James Brown.
Sharing a touching picture of the pair, Brown tweeted: “Lovely, entertaining, inspiring man. Like our loaded mag Dad. A true rogue & Great writer. We all adored him RIP HM”
Charlatans singer Tim Burgess also paid tribute, adding: “A sad day. Howard Marks has died. What a story, what a life. Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night x x”
Howard Marks has lost his battle with bowel cancer(Image: Ian Gavan/Getty Images)
Marks revealed he had been diagnosed with bowel cancer last year.
Speaking after the news, he said he had "no regrets" about a life which saw him mingle with A-listers from the entertainment world and spend seven years in jail after being convicted of serious drugs offences.
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Marks said he had come to terms with his diagnosis(Image: Handout)
Marks said: "I've come to terms with it in my own way - which for me was about learning how to cry.
"It's impossible to regret any part of my life when I feel happy and I am happy now, so I don't have any regrets and have not had any for a long time."
Marks, dubbed "the most sophisticated drugs baron of all time", grew up in Wales and later worked for the British Secret Service after graduating from Oxford where he earned a degree in nuclear physics and post graduate qualifications in philosophy.
He was also connected with the Mafia, the IRA, MI6 and the CIA.
Marks at an appearance in Guildford(Image: TMS)
He was busted in 1988 by the American Drug Enforcement Agency and sentenced to 25 years at America's toughest federal jail, Terre Haute, in Indiana.
He was released on parole in 1995 after serving seven years, and has long campaigned for the legalisation of cannabis.