Val Doonican who died last night.

Death announced of singer val doonican

Legendary entertainer Val Doonican passed away last night, aged 88.

He was a regular fixture on television screens in Britain and Ireland with The Val Doonican Show, which ran from 1965 to 1986 and which featured his own performances and guest artists.

Michael Valentine ‘Val’ Doonican was born the youngest of eight children on 3rd February 1927 in Waterford.

He started performing in his hometown, was featured on radio and appeared in Waterford's first-ever television broadcast. In 1951 he moved to England to join the Irish Quartet The Four Ramblers, who toured and performed on BBC Radio. The group also supported the late Anthony Newley on tour, who persuaded Doonican to launch his solo career.

In 1963 he was booked to appear on ‘Sunday Night at the Palladium’, which led to him being offered his own show on BBC TV which ran for over 20 years.

His jumpers became his trademark along with the rocking chair from which he often performed. His show launched numerous artists’ careers, including that of comedian Dave Allen.