Val Doonican, Famed Irish Singer, Dies At 88

Val Doonican, the esteemed Irish singer and TV entertainer, has died. He was 88.

Van Doonican Dies

Doonican passed away “peacefully” at his home in South East England, his family confirmed Thursday morning. He was not suffering from any particular illness at the time of his death, according to his daughter Sarah. “It was just old age, I’m afraid,” Sarah told The Guardian. The batteries ran out.”

In a statement, Doonican’s family said, “He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather and will be greatly missed by family, friends and his many fans.”

Doonican got his start in showbiz performing with Irish quartet The Four Ramblers. His big break came in 1963 after going solo and getting booked on Sunday Night at the Palladium. From there, he was given his own program on the BBC – The Val Doonican Music Show. The show went on to run from 1965 to 1986.

Among Doonican’s best known songs are “Walk Tall,” “What Would I Be,” “Elusive Butterfly,” The Special Years” and “Morning.”

Irish singer Daniel O’Donnell had nothing but praise for the late entertainer. “He was a very peaceful man and had a very calm persona, just as he came across on television,” he told the BBC. “He was a funny man, he would joke away.”

O’Donnell added, “He had a great voice and had the big hits with the songs we remember but there were also the funny songs that captured people’s imaginations too. He certainly was able to entertain in the widest possible sense.”

Doonican is survived by his wife Lynn, daughters Sarah and Fiona and grandchildren Bethany and Scott.