Cranberries singer Dolores O'Riordan dies in a London hotel aged 46

Cranberries lead singer Dolores O'Riordan has died aged 46. Photo / AP

The Cranberries singer Dolores O'Riordan has died suddenly at a hotel aged 46, her publicist has confirmed.

The Irish rock star, who has recently been performing with a band called D.A.R.K, was recording in London.

Her publicist did not comment on how she died, other than it say it was "sudden" and that her family are "devastated".

"Family members have requested privacy at this very difficult time," the publicist said.

O'Riordan, who was born in Limerick, last posted a picture of herself with her cat on Twitter on January 4 with the caption: "Bye bye Gio. We're off to Ireland."

Her band had recently played in South America, and she tweeted pictures of fans in Lima, Peru in December.

The Cranberries last released an album in early 2017, but a US and European tour was cancelled in July because of health reasons concerning O'Riordan.

The band said she was suffering from an "ongoing back problem" and that doctors had advised her to pull out of all her upcoming gigs.

O'Riordan found fame in the 1990s when her band shot to fame with hits including Zombie and Linger.