Fury as touts snap up dying star Wilko Johnson tickets

The musician, who has pancreatic cancer, is performing at the Robin 2 in Bilston in March, and tickets for the show costing £17.50 sold out in just three hours.

But staff have been shocked to discover tickets being touted online for as much as £167, which they believe will mean genuine fans could miss out on saying goodbye to the performer.

Wilko was a guitarist with Dr Feelgood in the 1970s, before working with Ian Dury and the Blockheads and then forming his own band. He influenced many post-punk guitarists with his distinctive choppy playing style. The performer has decided not to receive any chemotherapy treatment for the terminal pancreatic cancer he has been diagnosed with. Laura Smart, spokeswoman for the Robin 2, said: "The lack of conscience in these touts really does sicken us.

"To exploit the fans at such an extortionate level is quite unbelievable."

A Facebook page has been set up for angry fans to leave comments, while an online petition has also been launched against e-ticket companies.

Mrs Smart added: "We all know touting happens, it always has, but in this case we just think this really is quite unscrupulous. Wilko kept his prices low so that his everyday fans could obtain a ticket to wish him well and celebrate his life with him one last time. Now we have many, many disappointed fans who were unable to purchase a ticket and are potentially looking at having to bow down to these touts and be exploited."

After the Bilston gig on March 7 Wilko, who has enjoyed a 40-year career, is scheduled to play just two more shows in Huddersfield and Glasgow.

Wilko's agent Nigel Kerr said: "Until the Government make it illegal to resell tickets there's nothing you can do to stop people's greed.

"It's particularly upsetting when we know these are going to be his last shows."

The online petition can be signed by clicking here.