Irish singer and TV host Val Doonican has sadly died at the age of 88.
The Waterford-born balladeer passed away peacefully overnight in a nursing home in Buckinghamshire, England.
Born Michael Valentine “Val” Doonican, he began performing in his hometown and was featured in Waterford’s first ever television broadcast.
Doonican had five successive Top 10 albums in the UK Album Chart in the 60s.
His BBC television programme The Val Doonican Show ran for over 20 years.
His daughter Sarah told The Guardian newspaper: “Until 87, he was as fit as a flea. It was just old age, I’m afraid – the batteries ran out.”
Val is survived by his wife Lynn, daughters Sarah and Fiona, and grandchildren Bethany and Scott.
