Val Doonican has died at the age of 88.
The Irish singer and entertainer passed away "peacefully" at home in Buckinghamshire, South East England, his family confirmed this morning (02.07.15).
His family said in a statement: "He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather and will be greatly missed by family, friends and his many fans."
They added that he had not been suffering from any illness with his daughter Sarah explaining his "batteries had just run out".
She told The Guardian: "Until 87, he was as fit as a flea. It was just old age, I’m afraid – the batteries ran out."
The showbiz veteran, who retired in 2009 after 60 years in the business, is survived by his wife Lynn, daughters Sarah and Fiona and grandchildren Bethany and Scott.
The singer was born Michael Valentine Doonican in Waterford, Ireland, in 1927, the youngest of eight children.
After performing with Irish quartet The Four Ramblers, he went solo and hit it big in the UK when he was booked to appear on ‘Sunday Night at the Palladium’ in 1963.
This led to him being offered his own programme, ‘The Val Doonican Music Show’, on the BBC which ran for over 20 years.
His hits included ‘Walk Tall’, ‘What Would I Be’, ‘If The Whole World Stopped Loving’, and ‘Morning’. He also sang the theme tune for the film ‘Ring of Bright Water’.
Val Doonican dead at 88
