The writer, who found success with young adult novels, inspired one of Steve McQueen’s Small Axe films which was based on the author’s childhood

British writer Alex Wheatle, the author of books including East of Acre Lane and the Crongton series, has died aged 62.

“It is with great sadness to inform you that Alex Wheatle, our ‘Brixton Bard’, sadly passed away on Sunday 16 March 2025 after his fight with prostate cancer”, his family wrote in a statement on the author’s Instagram page.