One of Britain’s most successful motorbike racers has died at his home in Kent.

A statement released by Phil Read MBE’s family today announced the revered rider passed away during his sleep at his Canterbury property yesterday.

By the end of his distinguished Grand Prix career, he had become the first to ever win world championships across the 125cc, 250cc and 500cc classes.

The 83-year-old, later moved to the Cathedral city, was well-known for his rivalry with fellow legend Mike Hailwood.

“It is with incredible sadness we report the passing of Phil Read MBE while peacefully asleep on the morning of October 6, at his home in Canterbury,” his family said.

“Often a controversial and outspoken figure, his prolific racing career included 52 FIM Prix wins and eight wins at the iconic Isle of Man TT Races.

“In 2002 he was granted the status of ‘MotoGP Legend’.”

During a Grand Prix career spanning 15 years, he raced at a time of great change in the motorbiking world, winning world championships on both two-stroke and four-stroke bikes.

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Born in Luton, Phil worked as an apprentice fitter at an industrial machinery company when he first started riding on the road at the age of 16 in 1955.

He was signed by Yamaha nine years later, winning his 250cc first world championship in the same year.

His career was filled with controversy though. In 1968, while competing under the Yamaha banner, he defied team orders to focus on the 125cc class to pave the way for teammate Bill Ivy to win the 250cc crown.

In the wake of that decision, Phil was never offered a permanent spot in the team again.

After almost two years out of the circuit, he won the 250cc title in 1971 as a privateer - a racer without the direct support of a manufacturer. He was the first to claim a world crown under such circumstances.

He then signed with Italian outfit MV Agusta, claiming his sixth and seventh titles in the 500cc category with them.

"Often a controversial and outspoken figure, his prolific racing career included 52 FIM Grand Prix wins..."

By the end of his career, the eight-time world champion had won 52 GP races and finished on the podium 121 times.

Phil often acknowledged that without Mike around, he would have bagged more titles.

He was also a keen Isle of Man TT rider, winning it on eight occasions. In 1979, he was awarded an MBE for his services to motorsport.

Phil is survived by sons Michael, Graham, Phil Jr and Roki and daughter Esme.