Northern Irish singer Rose-Marie Kane died suddenly at the age of 68.
Tributes poured in on Friday as his heartbroken family and friends announced on social media that he died at his second home in Blackpool.
The Northern Irish singer, originally from County Down, released 19 albums throughout her career and sold out the London Palladium on several occasions.
Rose-Marie also appeared on the Royal Variety Show, was a judge on BBC talent show Go For It and also starred in Doctors.
A post on their official Facebook page announced Rose-Marie’s sudden passing, saying: “It is with great regret and enormous 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.’
His close friend Robin Elliott, a Belfast-based radio and TV presenter, paid tribute to the star and said he was “totally devastated” in a Facebook post.
Northern Irish singer Rose-Marie Kane died suddenly aged 68 and tributes poured in on Friday as heartbroken friends took to social media to reveal their devastation.
The Northern Irish singer, originally from County Down, released 19 albums throughout her career and sold out the London Palladium on several occasions
He said: “She will be missed terribly.”
According to Robin, Rose-Marie was recording her 20th album last Thursday.
Talking with him Belfast Telegraph, said: ‘I just can’t believe this has happened. I’ve known her for a long time, I met her in the ’90s.’
“I worked with her on a TV show called Something for the Weekend for the BBC and then over the years our paths crossed many times.”
Recalling the times they worked together, Robin also revealed that he was preparing to travel to Blackpool on June 28 to have a celebrity audience with her at North Pier, where she was scheduled to perform and do a Q&A session. .
He said: ‘She had a lot to look forward to. She was in the studio recording a new album, a TV documentary was being made about her, her life was good.’
He also added that her death was “so sudden” as on the last day he was with her, she was supposedly “in very good shape” and revealed that he believes her sudden death was due to a “heart attack.”
Tricia Penrose, known for playing Gina Ward in the nostalgic ITV series Heartbeat, also expressed her grief over the loss of her close friend Rose-Marie.
A post on her official Facebook page announced Rose-Marie’s sudden passing.
She said: “I am absolutely heartbroken to lose my dear friend Rose-Marie, RIP my dear heart,” she shared. We were only together this time last week in Blackpool. I’m going to miss you a lot xxx.
The singer was due to present an evening of music and entertainment at the Joe Longthorne Theater in Blackpool at the end of June.
Singer-songwriter Janey Kirk said she was “totally shocked” and “deeply saddened” by the news.
Revealing that they only spoke last week, Janey said: ‘We only spoke last week. She knew she hadn’t been feeling well but she in no way expected this terrible news.
‘I will never forget the memories and the laughter. No more dear hearts of the dearest heart ever.
Rose-Marie had a very successful career as she appeared in Shooting Stars, Doctors, Big Brother’s Little Brother and more.
Northern Ireland editor of LGBTQ+ magazine GNI, Daniel May, also added that he was “completely shocked and devastated”.
He said, ‘I’m going to miss her.’ We were as tough as thieves. I always had a lot of fun. It’s an honor to have had you as a friend.’
Rose-Marie had a very successful career as she appeared in Shooting Stars, Doctors, Big Brother’s Little Brother and more.
Ann and Owen’s daughter was one of six children and grew up on a farm outside Newry, County Down in Northern Ireland.