Drug-smuggler turned celebrity author Howard Marks ‘Mr Nice’ dies age 70 from cancer

Also known as ‘Mr Nice’ was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2014 He said he had ‘no regrets’ after diagnosis that disease was inoperable  Welshman came to fame after publication of his memoir in 1996

The renowned writer and former drug-smuggler Howard Marks – once known as Mr Nice – has died of cancer, it was reported on Sunday.

The Guardian reported news of best-selling author Mr Marks’ death, who previously said he had ‘no regrets’ after announcing his cancer diagnosis.

The 70-year-old revealed in January last year that he had inoperable bowel cancer.

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‘I’ve come to terms with it in my own way – which for me was about learning how to cry,’ he told the Observer last year.

‘It’s impossible to regret any part of my life when I feel happy and I am happy now, so I don’t have any regrets and have not had any for a very long time.’

He added he feels privileged to have lived an ‘incredible’ life, which allowed him to spend time with ‘musicians, DJs and other lovers of dope’.

Mr Marks, who was born in south Wales, was diagnosed with the disease in the autumn of 2014.

The cancer then spread to his liver and lungs.The Observer reported he completed eight cycles of chemotherapy and intially responded well to the treatment.

Mr Marks, who has four children, was being cared for by his long-term partner Caroline Brown and battled in his last years to promote the legalisation of marijuana.

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Rhys Ifans starred as Howard Marks in the Mr Nice biopic film released in 2010