Photo: Press
The 1960s pop and television sensation Val Doonican has passed away at the age of 88.
His family state that he died 'peacefully' at home, with no illness reported but his daughter telling BBC News that his "batteries had just run out".
Born in Waterford in Ireland in 1927, the Irish star rose to fame in the 1960s, presenting the Val Doonican Show - becoming known for often performing in a rocking chair while wearing an Aran jumper.
He had a long string of top 10 hits, including ‘Walk Tall’, ‘The Special Years’, ‘Elusive Butterfly’, ‘What Would I Be’, ‘If The Whole World Stopped Loving’ and ‘Morning’ - with his LP Val Doonican Rocks, But Gently famously topping The Beatles' legendary Sgt Pepper from the top spot in 1968.
Listen to 'Walk Tall' by Val Doonican below
After 60 years in showbusiness, he retired in 2009. He leaves behind wife Lynn, daughters Sarah and Fiona and grandchildren Bethany and Scott.
