Eurovision Legend Clodagh Rodgers Passes Away Peacefully at 78
Clodagh Rodgers, the Northern Irish singer who represented the United Kingdom in the 1971 Eurovision Song Contest, has died at the age of 78.
The much-loved performer passed away peacefully on Friday, following a three-year illness, surrounded by her close family in Cobham.
Rodgers rose to fame with her Eurovision hit Jack In The Box, which earned her fourth place for the UK and became one of her most iconic performances. Her vibrant energy and charisma made her a household name throughout the 1970s.
In a moving tribute shared on Facebook, her son Sam Sorbie described Clodagh as “the rock of the family,” praising her for a life devoted to love, music, and motherhood.
“With a heavy heart, my dear beautiful mum Clodagh has sadly passed away after battling an illness for the last three years,” he wrote. “She passed away peacefully yesterday surrounded by her family in Cobham.”
“Mum lived an incredible life, full of love and happiness — from her incredible career performing and traveling the world, to dedicating herself to her two sons and being the rock of this family,” he continued.
“Life will never 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.”
Tributes from fans and fellow artists have begun to pour in, remembering Rodgers not only for her musical legacy but for the inspiration she brought to generations of performers.
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Eurovision legend and Clodagh Rodgers who represented the UK in 1971 (pictured) has tragically passed away aged 78
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The Norther Irish singer, who finished in fourth place with Jack In The Box, di3d ‘peacefully’ on Friday following a three-year illness surrounded by her family (pictured 2001)
In a heartfelt Facebook post son Sam Sorbie paid tribute to his beloved mum who he said was the ‘rock of the family’ and had ‘devoted her life’ to himself and his brother
Fans rushed to pay their condolences to the iconic songstress who also had hit singles with Come Back and Shake Me and Goodnight Midnight.
They wrote: ‘This is incredibly sad news. I’m so, so sorry for your loss. Clodagh was a superbly talented singer’: ‘I’m so sorry to hear of this sad news Sam. Clodagh was an inspiration and I managed to meet her a few times after seeing her on stage. She was always a terrific performer who will be sadly missed. R.I.P Clodagh. from Danny, Mailtand Australia’.
‘So sorry to hear this Sam. I loved your mums music, it always bought back happy memories. She is now singing with the angels. Rest in peace Clodagh’: ‘So Sorry Loved watching her when ever Clodagh was on television.Rest In Peace you lovely lady xx’: ‘My heartfelt and sincere condolences. I was a huge fan, and always remember her performing Jack In The Box in the 1971 Eurovision Song Contest. May she rest in peace now.’
Clodagh was born in Warrenpoint in Norther Ireland and began singing professionally from the age of 13 famed singer of the time Michael Holliday.
Her father was a dancehall promoter and helped her sign her first record contact, before going on to make her TV debut in 1962 on Adam Faith’s BBC variety show.
She went on to became a regular face on television and appeared in the musical films Just For Fun in 1963 and It’s All Over Town a year later.
But it was Eurovision that catapulted her to superstardom when the competition was held in Dublin, however as an Irish catholic from Northern Ireland she received d3ath threats from the IRA as a result of her representing the UK.
The catchy tune in fourth place, behind winner Monaco as well as Spain and Germany and went on to reach number four in the UK Singles Chart, becoming her third top 10 hit.
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Clodagh was born in Warrenpoint in Norther Ireland and began singing professionally from the age of 13 famed singer of the time Michael Holliday (pictured 1970)
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Before Eurovision she was a regular face on television and appeared in the musical films Just For Fun in 1963 and It’s All Over Town a year later (pictured with Les Dawson 1971)
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But Eurovision catapulted her to superstardom when the competition was held in Dublin, however as an Irish catholic from Northern Ireland she received d3ath threats from the IRA as a result of her representing the UK (pictured 1971)
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The catchy tune in fourth place, behind winner Monaco as well as Spain and Germany and went on to reach number four in the UK Singles Chart (pictured 1971)
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Fans rushed to pay their condolences to the iconic songstress who also had hit singles with Come Back and Shake Me and Goodnight Midnight
Following her marriage split Clodagh retired from music to raise her sons, before returning to the limelight years later as an actress and appeared in West End Musicals and ITV’s The Bill.
The sad news comes after country girl band Remember Monday were announced as this years act representing UK in the competition in Switzerland.
Made up of Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull and Charlotte Steele, the trio are a big genre switch from last year’s entry Olly Alexander.
A source told The Sun following the announcement : ‘As ever behind the scenes competition has been fierce to represent the UK.
And it isn’t the band’s first time taking part in a televised competition after they entered The Voice back in 2019 and caught the eye of BBC Radio 2 Breakfast host Scott Mills when they were played on the station last year.
They have also performed at a string of major UK events including Country to Country, The Long Road and Buckle and Boots.
Remember Monday also boast a following of 524,000 followers on TikTok and 76.3k on Instagram.
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The sad news comes after country girl band Remember Monday (pictured) were announced as this years act representing UK in the competition in Switzerland
