'Big Bad John' Singer Jimmy Dean Dies Aged 81

Jimmy Dean, who sang the crossover country hit ‘Big Bad John’, has died.

The 81-year-old passed away at the Virginia home he shared with his wife, Donna Meade Dean.

Dean, originally from Texas, scored a hit on the pop and country charts with ‘Big Bad John’ in 1961.

The multi-talented star also experimented with acting, appearing as a Las Vegas Billionaire in the 1971 James Bond film, Diamonds Are Forever.

Away from the spotlight, Dean also started a sausage business in 1969 called the Jimmy Dean Meat Company.

His wife told the BBC Dean was “amazing”, adding: “He had a lot of talents.”