Singer Joy Beverley, one of the three members of 1950s group The Beverley Sisters, has died.
A family friend confirmed Beverley, 91, died on Monday after she reportedly suffered a stroke last week.
Her son, Vince, 67, told the Express & Star newspapers: “We all thought the world of her and we are devastated she is gone. We are a very close-knit family.”
“She was a very bubbly, but private, character.”
“We are all going to miss her terribly, she has been a part of our lives for so long now it really is going to be a big loss for all of us.”
Described as the Posh and Becks of the day, she was married to footballer andstar of Wolverhampton Wanderers, Billy Wright.
Wright died of pancreatic cancer in 1994.
During his illustrious career, he became the world’s first footballer to notch up a hundred caps, and he led England as captain on an impressive 90 occasions.
Of the Beverley Sisters trio – which included Teddie and Babs – Joy was the eldest. Her sisters were twins, born in 1927.
Born in Bethnal Green, the girls seemed destined to have a career in music. Their parents were George and Victoria Beverley, who performed as a music-hall duo.
During the Second World War, the sisters landed a campaign for Ovaltine to star as “Bonnie Babies” in their adverts.
Their status as celebrities blossomed and they went on to land their own TV show, Three Little Girls In View, which later was re-named as Those Beverley Sisters.
Columbia Records signed them in 1951, and their contract led to them becoming the highest paid female act of their time.
Their hits included I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, Bye Bye Love and Always and Forever.
Joy married Billy in 1958 at Poole Registry Office, and the pair stayed married until his death.