Neil Finn pays heartfelt tribute to Fleetwood Mac's Christine McVie following her passing

Neil Finn has paid tribute to his "warm and wonderful friend" Christine McVie following the tragic news that she passed away, aged 79, after a short illness.

The New Zealand singer-songwriter, who is best known for being a member of Crowded House and Split Enz (which he co-fronted with brother Tim), joined Fleetwood Mac in 2018 and toured with the band.

Taking to his social media, the 64-year-old shared a photo of McVie playing on an electronic keyboard and expressed his upset at the "very sad day."

"It’s a very sad day. Christine McVie was a unique and soulful woman, a supremely gifted songwriter and a warm and wonderful friend.

"I am so grateful to have shared some hours in her beautiful presence."

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As well as working with Fleetwood Mac, McVie also released three solo albums.

In 1998, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Fleetwood Mac.

McVie died Wednesday morning in hospital, where she was surrounded by family and friends.