Singer-songwriter Lynsey de Paul has died, aged 64

Award-winning singer-songwriter Lynsey de Paul has died, aged 64.

De Paul achieved five UK Top 20 singles during her career as a singer, including her 1972 Top Five hit Sugar Me. She represented the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1977 with the song Rock Bottom, finishing in second place behind France’s entry.

She also had an illustrious career as a songwriter, and in 1974 became the first ever woman to win an Ivor Novello award, for her song Won’t Somebody Dance with Me.

More recently, the one-time ‘Rear of the Year’ winner was seen in celebrity editions of Come Dine With Me and Cash in the Attic, and she also acted alongside Stephen Fry in the first episode of his 2007 ITV comedy-drama series Kingdom.

“Although she was small in stature, she was very big in positive personality,” said de Paul’s agent, Michael Joyce, in a statement to the press. “She was always so positive about everything.”

De Paul, who never married, died in hospital yesterday (October 1) from a suspected brain haemorrhage, Joyce confirmed. Her family have asked for privacy.