Clodagh Rodgers, who represented the UK in the 1971 Eurovision Song Contest, has died “peacefully” at home aged 78.
The Northern Irish singer placed fourth in the competition with her song ‘Jack in the Box’ when it was held in Dublin, and later became a familiar face on British TV.
Her son Sam Sorbie confirmed the news in a touching statement today, in which he paid tribute to her as the “rock of this family”.
The statement read: “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.
“We all love and miss her terribly.”
The singer, who was born in Warrenpoint, County Down, received death threats from the IRA when she agreed to represent the UK at Eurovision, as they regarded her as a traitor.
The BBC were also reportedly concerned over the reaction the UK entrant would have on an Irish audience during the height of The Troubles.
Clodagh was known for her energetic and stylish performance. Her sparkly outfit and catchy choreography made her stand out in the competition.
While she didn’t win Eurovision that year, ranking fourth out of 18 countries, her song became a UK Top 10 hit and remains one of the more memorable UK entries from the 70s.
Clodagh enjoyed a string of hits throughout the 1960s and ’70s, with standout tracks like Goodnight Midnight, Come Back and Shake Me, Lady Love Bug, It’s Different Now, and I Am a Fantasy.
Following her Eurovision appearance, Clodagh Rodgers enjoyed a successful television career. She became a familiar face on British TV, regularly appearing on popular variety shows such as The Morecambe & Wise Show, Cilla, and The Des O’Connor Show.
Notably, she had her own BBC series, Clodagh, which aired in 1970—just before her Eurovision stint—and she continued to be a popular guest on the small screen throughout the years that followed.
In the 90s, Clodagh appeared in West End productions, including Blood Brothers, Pump Boys, and Dinettes, as well as landing a recurring role in The Bill in the 00s.
In later years, Clodagh stepped away from the limelight. She reportedly moved to Spain for a time and has occasionally appeared in interviews or retrospectives about Eurovision or 1970s pop culture but has largely enjoyed a quieter life.
Following her split from her first husband, Clodagh married Ian Sorbie in 1987. He died in 1995.
