Hayley Williams pays tribute to ex-husband Chad Gilbert after New Found Glory guitarist's death

Hayley Williams has hailed late ex Chad Gilbert as "a legend in the scene".

The Paramore singer started dating the New Found Glory guitarist in 2008, and they got married in 2016 before splitting the following year.

Chad passed away aged 45 on Sunday (20.09.26) after a five-year battle with cancer.

On Wednesday (23.09.26), Hayley wrote on her Instagram Story: "Have not known what to say or if it's appropriate.

"But I feel sure now that I want to bc life is made of the paths we cross and the reasons we cross them are infinite.

"Chad is indeed a legend in the scene and my time connected to him taught me a lot. He introduced me to people that continue to shape my life in beautiful ways, and to music and culture that has made life a lot richer."

The Misery Business hitmaker praised her ex-husband for his contributions to "the musical world a lot of us grew up in".

She continued: "His influence and attitude guided the genre forward. His passion for fostering the community was inspiring and sticks with me.

"I will forever be grateful that from him I gained a deeper understanding and a reverence for the community and the culture of hardcore.

"Sending love and sympathies to his family, NFG fam, and all his friends."

Hayley previously sang about her divorce from Chad in her 2020 song Dead Horse, as she explored the end of their relationship.

She once told NME about the song: "y angst and rage has been a protective layer for the softer sadness and shame that I feel.

"Dead Horse came just after ripping off the last band-aid. It was about finding this bubbling lava underneath a hard stone. It was like digging up bones.”

Over the weekend, Chad's wife Lisa Morelli confirmed the My Friends Over You singer had "passed away peacefully in his sleep".