Rose-Marie: Death of well-known Newry singer announced in Blackpool

THE death of the well-known Newry singer Rose-Marie has been announced in Blackpool, with many paying their respects to the performer.

Born Rose-Marie Kane, the news of the 68-year-old’s death was posted on her official Facebook page.

“It is with heavy hearts and enormous great sadness, that we have to announce the sudden passing of our much loved Rose-Marie, in her beloved second home of Blackpool. Rest in Peace, dear heart,” the statement read.

She had been due to perform at “A celebrity audience with the legendary Rose-Marie”at the Joe Longthorne Studio North Pier Blackpool later this month.

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The venue posted: “We are so deeply sad to learn this news just now, Sleep Well our dearest much loved friend.”

Enjoying a glittering showbiz career, her many highlights had included performing in Las Vegas alongside Tony Curtis and Johnny Cash.

Having jokingly introduced herself as “Terry Wogan in drag,” she was also called the Irish Bette Midler and enjoyed gold and platinum album sales as well as commanding 15 million viewers on the TV show Search for a Star.

With comedian Les Dawson once commenting her voice could “warn shipping in the Solent,” Irish News columnist Anne Hailes also wrote after 2019 interview “she can sing the most delicate ballad as well as the most raucous rock and roll.”

Others paying tribute were performer and friend Daniel May, who wrote: “I am completely shocked and devastated, it is with a heavy heart I share the news that our beloved Rose-Marie has passed away.”

He added: “Going to miss her, we were as thick as thieves, always had so much fun , it’s an honour to have had you as a friend.”