Among the tributes, close friend Robin Elliott described the country-singer as a “massive” star on TV, with actress and radio presenter Tricia Penrose adding she was “heartbroken” by the news.
Originally from Co Down, Rose-Marie Kane was a well-known personality over the years on both TV and radio.
The 68-year-old passed away on Wednesday morning with all the family having been informed.
On her Facebook page, a post said: “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.”
Singer Rose-Marie shakes hands with Princess Diana.
While Rose-Marie enjoyed success as a local and national television personality in the United Kingdom, she has also released 19 albums.
She was in the studio recording her 20th album just last Thursday, according to radio and TV presenter, Robin Elliott, who was a close friend.
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.
“We worked on a talent show together with Louis Walsh in Blackpool back in 2015 and then in 2019 we spent a lot of time together and worked on lots of projects.
“We did panto together at the Crescent Arts Centre, when I did the Gerry Anderson tribute night in the Grand Opera House she was on the bill for that as well.”
Mr Elliott was due 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.
“She had so much to look forward to,” he explained.
“She was in the studio recording a new album, there was a TV documentary being made about her, life was good.
“She’d just moved back to Blackpool last year (after around seven years in Northern Ireland) and was in a lovely apartment. I’m just so glad that I was in Blackpool a couple of weeks ago and got to spend a lovely few days with her.
“It was so sudden, the last day I was with her she was in great form. There were no health issues at all. We think it was a heart attack.”
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Robin said that people forget she sold “millions of albums worldwide” and was a “massive TV star”, appearing on shows with Les Dawson like Blankety Blank which got “20 million viewers back in the day”.
Tricia Penrose – who is known for her role as Gina Ward in ITV’s long-running 1960s drama Heartbeat – paid her own tribute.
“I am absolutely heartbroken to lose my dear friend Rose-Marie RIP my dear heart,” she wrote.
“We were only together this time last week in Blackpool. I’m going to miss you so much xxx.”
Rose-Marie is survived by her mother Ann, who she had come home to visit a few weeks ago.
There are no details about the funeral at this stage other than that it will take place in Newry.
Fans have expressed their “heartbreak”, and offered condolences to her family and friends at this sad time.
At the International Music Awards, Rose-Marie was voted Most Popular Singer. She has sold out the London Palladium on more than one occasion.
Rose-Marie is a former judge in two series of the BBC talent show Go For It.
Other television appearances include The Royal Variety Show, Shooting Stars, Doctors, Big Brother’s Little Brother and various chat shows.
As well as her work on television, she has been involved in acting in several stage productions and on radio, and played Rita in the 2001 film Cold Fish.
The singer has also been involved in charity work, including the promotion of road safety and charity for the underprivileged.