Northern Ireland Eurovision singer Clodagh Rodgers passes away at 78

Clodagh Rodgers, the Northern Irish singer, has passed away at the age of 78 after a long illness.

The Jack in the Box hitmaker, who garnered recognition for her 1971 single, died on Saturday, April 19.

Taking to Facebook, her son Sam Sorbie announced the death of his mother in a heartfelt tribute.

He penned, “With a heavy heart, my dear beautiful mum Clodagh has sadly passed away after battling an illness for the last three years. She passed away peacefully yesterday surrounded by her family in Cobham. Mum has lived an incredible life, full of love and happiness. Her fantastic career performing, travelling the world, devoting her life to her two sons and being the rock of this family.”

Expressing his grief, he added, “Life will not be the same without mum, but she will finally be at peace now with dad, nanny and pappa. We all love and miss her terribly.”

The Goodnight Midnight singer made her TV debut in 1962, and later appeared in her first musical film, Just For Fun, in 1963.

For the unversed, the late singer, who had two children, Matthew and Sam, released approximately 55 studio albums throughout her career.