The secluded life of Mystic Meg with seven cats as famed astronomer dies aged 80

Britain's most famous and beloved astrologer Mystic Meg has sadly died after a month-long battle with flu illness, her agent Dave Shapland announced.

The psychic was the most successful phone-line astrologer and became famous for daily horoscope predictions for newspapers such as News of the World and The Sun. She also made weekly appearances on the live National Lottery show in the 90s. 

She was admitted to hospital with flu last month and died in the early hours of Thursday morning (9 March).

Dave Shapland said: "Nobody came close to Meg in that respect. She was followed by millions in this country and also around the world."

Her real name was Margaret Anne Lake and she was born and raised in Lancashire where her grandmother taught her astrology. She studied English at the University of Leeds and worked for the News of the World as sub-editor, eventually becoming deputy editor for the weekend supplement. 

In the 80s, she became the News of the World's regular astrologer under the pseudonym Eileen Anderson, then changing it to her stage name Mystic Meg. Mystic Meg's Wheel of Destiny was a regular feature for Sun Bingo.

It was her weekly appearances on the National Lottery that made her a household name. Each week she would predict details about the future winner. With her razor sharp black haircut and red lipstick Meg would stare into a crystal ball and make her predictions. 

The astrologer collaborated with Bookmakers Gala Coral Group and was the face of the Grand National "You’re Guaranteed a Fortune" campaign. She owned several racehorses Astrodonna, Astroangel and Astronova, to name a few.

In her later years, Meg chose a quiet private life. She never married or had children. LBC reported Meg lived alone in a flat in Notting Hill which she shared with seven cats. She refused to give interviews over the phone instead telling journalists to fax their questions in and she would reply in writing.

The psychic lived a clean vegan lifestyle and abstained from smoking and drinking alcohol. She told the Lancashire Telegraph: "I try to stay with a vegan style of eating and... try to avoid all animal products. I think about nutrition. I've noticed that when I visit vegetarian shops, none of the customers are overweight."