TOP fashion designer Alexander McQueen killed himself just days after the death of his beloved mum.

The 40-year-old Brit was found hanged at his exclusive flat yesterday - on the eve of her funeral.

McQueen - a close pal of supermodels Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell - is said to have become depressed over losing mum Joyce last week.

Heartbroken Kate, 36, was "devastated" at her pal's death.

She cancelled the launch of her new range of bags at London store Selfridges and spent the day at home crying.

McQueen - the gay son of an East End cabbie - rose to become one of the world's most respected designers, whose clients ranged from Lady GaGa to Prince Charles.

An ambulance was called to his flat in a six-storey townhouse in Mayfair, central London, at 10am.

A source said: "McQueen was found hanging inside."

His body was not removed until 4.46pm when it was put in a private ambulance.

A man in his 30s with bleached blond hair, claiming to be McQueen's boyfriend, wept in the street. He said he was too distraught to talk.

Peek-a-boob ... Cheryl Cole in a McQueen design, 2009

Police confirmed the death was "not suspicious".

Kate and McQueen had been pals for many years and she starred in countless campaigns for him.

As the fashion world mourned one of its brightest stars, a statement released on Kate's behalf said she was "shocked and devastated".

McQueen had told of his own grief in a garbled post on his Twitter page on February 3.

He wrote: "I'm letting my followers know the my mother passed away yesterday if it she had not had me nor would you RIPmumxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx."

He then followed it up with: "but life must go on."

On February 7 he tweeted: "sunday evening been a ****ing awful week but my friends have been great but now i have to some how pull myself together."

McQueen was also affected by losing his aunt Dolly - who died a year ago this week.

His family gathered today for the funeral of his beloved mum at the Manor Park Cemetery in Forest Gate, east London

Relatives gathered at the home of his grieving dad Ronald before leaving to pay their last respects to Joyce.

The designer's tragic death cast a cloud over the industry ahead of next week's London Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week in March - where his latest collection is due to be shown.

Staff were in tears at his company HQ in Farringdon, central London, yesterday.

McQueen's ex-husband, documentary maker George Forsyth, said: "I'm completely numb. I can't believe this."

The pair wed in a New Age ceremony in 2000 with Kate Moss as bridesmaid.

Three years ago McQueen's close friend, fashion icon Isabella Blow, 48, killed herself by drinking weedkiller.

She helped launch his career and was thought to have convinced him to use his middle name - Alexander - instead of his first name Lee.

As a Savile Row tailors' apprentice, his clients included Prince Charles and ex-Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

McQueen became known as a badboy of fashion and once sewed the words "I am a ****" into the sleeve of a jacket destined for the Prince.

He went on to have boutiques all over the world, was awarded a CBE for services to fashion and won British Designer of the Year four times.

Tragic ... McQueen with mum Joyce

Eyevine

He was pals with Elton John. Clients included singer Rihanna and actress Sarah Jessica Parker.

Last night the windows of McQueen's store in Old Bond Street, central London, were empty.

Notes on them in white lettering on a black background, told of his death.

Tributes to the icon poured in.

Victoria Beckham said: "He was a master of fashion, creative genius and an inspiration. Today the fashion industry has lost a true great."

A spokesman for designer Vivienne Westwood said she was "incredibly sorry" to hear the news.

Alexandra Shulman, editor of British Vogue, said: "McQueen influenced a whole generation of designers. His brilliant imagination knew no bounds and he conjured up extraordinary designs."

TV host Jonathan Ross said: "He was a brilliant designer." And singer Sophie Ellis Bextor called McQueen "incredibly talented".

Boy George wrote: "Very, very sad news about Lee McQueen, he was a genius, such tragic news. R.I.P!" Kelly Osbourne said: "I'm really in shock."

Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour today called McQueen "one of the greatest talents of his generation."