Northern Irish singer Rose-Marie Kane has died suddenly aged 68.
Tributes poured in on Friday as her heartbroken family and friends announced she passed away at her second home in Blackpool on social media.
The Northern Ireland singer, originally from County Down, released 19 albums throughout her career and sold out the London Palladium on several occasions.
Rose-Marie also appeared in the Royal Variety Show, was a former judge in the BBC talent show Go For It and also starred in Doctors.
A post on her official Facebook page announced Rose-Marie’s sudden passing, read: ‘It is with heavy hearts and enormous great 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.’
Close pal Robin Elliott, who is a Belfast-based radio and TV presenter, paid tribute to the star and claimed he was ‘totally devastated’ in a post on Facebook.
Northern Irish singer Rose-Marie Kane has died suddenly aged 68 and tributes poured in on Friday as heartbroken pals took to social media to reveal their devastation
The Northern Ireland singer, originally from County Down, released 19 albums throughout her career and sold out the London Palladium on several occasions
He said: ‘We shall miss her terribly.’
According to Robin, Rose-Marie was recording her 20th album just last Thursday.
Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, he said: ‘I just can’t believe this has happened. I’ve known her for a hell of a long time, I first met her in the 90s.’
‘I worked on a TV show with her called Something for the Weekend for the BBC, and then over the years our paths crossed many times.’
Reminiscing on the times they worked together, Robin also revealed that he was preparing to travel to Blackpool on June 28 to do a celebrity audience with her on the North Pier where she was set to perform and do a question and answer session.
He said: ‘She had so much to look forward to. She was in the studio recording a new album, there was a TV documentary being made about her, life was good.’
He also added that her death was ‘so sudden’ as the last day he was with her she was reportedly ‘in great form’ and revealed that he believes her sudden passing was down to a ‘heart attack’.
Tricia Penrose, who is well known for playing Gina Ward in ITV’s nostalgic series Heartbeat, also expressed her sorrow at 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 so much xxx.’
The singer was due to host an evening of music and entertainment at the Joe Longthorne Theatre in Blackpool at the end of June.
Singer-songwriter Janey Kirk said she was ‘totally shocked’ and ‘deeply saddened’ by the news.
Revealing they only spoke last week Janey said: ‘We spoke only last week. I knew she had not been well but no way was expecting this awful news.
‘Won’t ever forget the memories and laughs. No more dear hearts from the dearest heart ever.’
Rose-Marie had a highly successful career as she appeared on Shooting Stars, Doctors, Big Brother’s Little Brother and more
The Northern Ireland director of LGBTQ+ magazine GNI, Daniel May, also added that he was ‘completely shocked and devastated.’
He said: ‘Going to miss her. We were as thick as thieves. Always had so much fun. It’s an honour to have had you as a friend.’
Rose-Marie had a highly successful career as she appeared on Shooting Stars, Doctors, Big Brother’s Little Brother and more.
The daughter of Ann and Owen was one of six siblings and was raised on a farm outside Newry, County Down in Northern Ireland.