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Tributes are paid to singer Ronnie Carroll

Tributes are paid to singer Ronnie Carroll

TRIBUTES have paid to the Belfast-born singer Ronnie Carroll who has passed away aged 80.

Born Ronald Cleghorn in the Roslyn Street area of the city, he rose to fame in the mid-1950s before going on to become the only singer to have represented the UK twice in the Eurovision Song Contest.

Known as The Minstrel, Mr. Carroll’s early career included touring with the Hollywood Doubles Show in which he sang Nat King Cole and Billy Eskstine hits. After signing for Philips Records, his first hit record was Walk Hand In Hand (see below) in 1956.

In 1959, he married the singer and actress Millicent Martin, but the marriage ended in separation in 1965.

His chart success led to the invitation to take part in the heats for the Eurovision contest in 1962. He went on to represent the country with the song Ring-A-Ding Girl (see below), coming fourth. The following year he again came fourth in the competition with Say Wonderful Things, see below.

His biggest hit came in 1963 when he reached Number 3 with Roses Are Red (My Love), see below.

In recent years Mr. Carroll took an interest in politics, standing unsuccessfully on a number of occasions for fringe parties in the Hampstead area with his lived. He had planned to stand as an independent in the next general election.

Mr. Carroll passed away at a hospice in London following a battle with cancer. A friend said: “It was very peaceful at the end and Ronnie’s own music was playing in the room”.

Listen to Walk Hand In Hand.

View an archive footage of Ronnie Carroll’s Eurvision performance of Ring-A-Ding Girl.

View an archive footage of Ronnie Carroll’s Eurvision performance of Say Wonderful Things.

Listen to Roses Are Red (My Love).

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