UPDATE: |Tributes pour in for Eurovision legend Clodagh Rodgers after she dies ‘peacefully’ aged 78 News

She passed away at home on Friday, April 18

Heart-breaking tributes are pouring in for Eurovision legend Clodagh Rodgers who has died aged 78.

Born on March 5, 1947, in Northern Ireland, Rodgers began her music career very young aged just 13. After appearing on various British TV shows and in a few musicals including Just For Fun and It’s All Over Town, her father, a tour promoter, helped her sign with Decca in 1962, where her earliest singles were produced by Shel Talmy.

Rodgers represented the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin with the song “Jack in the Box.” which faces some controversy due to her Northern Irish Catholic background. Despite only finishing fourth in the competition, Jack in the Box became an iconic hit, reaching number 4 on the UK chart.

Clodagh’s son, Sam Sorbie, announced the sad news of her passing in a Facebook post shared on Saturday, April 19. He shared that Rodgers died on Friday after a short illness.

He wrote: “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, traveling the world, devoting her life to her two sons and being the rock of this family. Life will not be the same without Mum, but she will finally be at peace now with dad, nanny and pappa.”

Fans have flooded the post with messages of support. One fan wrote: “All our condolences Sam and sincere thanks for informing us here in such a personal and timely way at this time of great personal bereavement. It means more than I can say to those many of us who loved your wonderful mum from afar.”

A second wrote: “So sorry to hear this Sam. Those of us on here realise what a special lady she was. A great talent and lovely person. Much underrated.”

And another fan said: “Very sad to hear that Sam. She brought so much joy to so many people. Sending love and light to you and the rest of the family at this sad time.”

“So very sad and sorry. My condolences to all of the family, Clodagh brought me much joy over the years. May she RIP,” a fourth added.

Over on X, formerly known as Twitter, the messages of condolences continue. @MikeReadUK wrote: “So sad the news about Clodagh Rodgers, a star in many spheres: Film, TV, Stage & hit songs & of course Eurovision. She worked with so many greats in different genres. Commiserations to Frank, Louis & Lavinia & bless you for asking, and trusting, me to write her obituary. xx”

@TalkingPicsTV wrote: “Beautiful songstress Clodagh Rodgers, whose voice entertained us from Eurovision to the Palladium, has sadly left us for the great theatre in the sky. Thank you for the music, dear lady. Rest in Peace.”