Infamous British artist who upset Queen Elizabeth dies aged simply 34 after well being battle
Graffiti artist Helch has died aged 34 after a brief cancer battle, with the elusive tagger infamous for a 60ft “HELCH” mural near Windsor Castle that royal sources said upset Queen Elizabeth
The word “HELCH” sprayed on a railway viaduct near Windsor Castle(Image: Shutterstock)
Graffiti artist Helch, whose giant block-letter murals appeared on motorway bridges and railway viaducts across southern England, has died aged 34.
The elusive street artist – whose real name was Michael Purdy – became widely known for painting the tag “HELCH” in massive, vibrant capitals on high-profile structures. These were seen by millions of commuters on routes including the M4, the M25 and rail bridges heading into London.
Purdy was perhaps best known for an infamous 60ft-high mural painted in 2018 on an Edwardian railway viaduct near Windsor Castle, visible from the royal residence. Royal sources claimed at the time that Queen Elizabeth II was deeply upset.
Michael Purdy(Image: Facebook)
Moreover, the late queen reportedly believed the huge tag was an eyesore that spoiled her favourite views of the Berkshire countryside from the castle windows. The viaduct had long been famous for the slogan “Give Peas a Chance”, which evolved from an earlier “PEAS” tag before additional words were added.
Purdy later painted over that well-loved message and replaced it with his own name, sparking widespread disapproval beyond the graffiti scene. Despite the scale and visibility of his work, Purdy went to great lengths to keep his identity hidden from police and the public for years.
He previously insisted the word “Helch” had no hidden meaning, explaining he chose the combination of letters simply because it was a “good word” that looked visually strong and aggressive when painted in thick block capitals. Sadly, Purdy died following a brief battle with duodenal carcinoma, the Daily Mail reported.
Helch on Brick Lane in Shoreditch on May 20, 2026 (Image: Getty Images)
Supporters and friends paid tribute yesterday (August 30), with many noting that Purdy had recently moved into the gallery world. His debut show at BSMT Space in Dalston, east London, at the end of last year drew big crowds because it was the first time his art could be bought legally, as per the Daily Mail.
Veteran club music DJ Doc Scott was among those paying tribute on Saturday, sharing an image of one of Purdy’s canvas works with the caption “RIP Helch”. Frontline, a graffiti magazine and online platform, posted a photo compilation of Helch’s work on Instagram with the message: “Just heard sad news of Helch passing away.
“RIP Helch.” One graffiti artist told the Daily Mail: “Helch was at the top of his game, having smashed it for years and funded the entire thing himself.
Helch graffiti on a bridge on the M25(Image: Maureen McLean/Shutterstock)
“He is a legend and will be greatly missed in London and the UK.” Writer Zonk DDS said: “Iconic British artist gone far too soon.
“Thoughts are with his family.” Meanwhile, SMT crew described Helch as “a big figure” in the London and UK scene.
Tributes were also posted as far away as New York City, with one message saying he was “known in London for being a legend”.
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