Alvin Stardust, glam-rock singer, dies aged 72

The glam-rock singer’s manager confirmed that Alvin died this morning (October 23) at his family home in West Sussex. He had recently been diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer.

Earlier this month, it was announced that he would release a new album titled Alvin, his first studio record since 1984’s I Feel Like....

Alvin’s manager, Andy Davies, is quoted as saying: “Alvin and I had only started working together over the last couple of years because he and I believed that, musically, he still had a great deal to give and explore, and so we recorded an album that is a testament to an artist who gave his career to music.

“I may not have known him long but even in that short time he proved to be one of the most genuine and likeable men I’ve ever met. His passing is a huge and sad loss.”

Alvin made his musical debut in the 1960s as part of rock group Shane Fenton and the Fentones. He later broke away from the bandand found success with his debut solo single My Coo Ca Choo, which hit Number 2 on the Official Singles Chart in 1973.

He followed it up with the chart-topping Jealous Mind a year later and scored a further seven Top 40 singles in the proceeding 25 years. His debut album, The Untouchable, peaked at Number 4 on the Official Albums Chart in 1974.

In the '90s, Alvin moved into acting, picking up roles in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Godspell and David Copperfield. He joined the cast of Hollyoaks in 1995, where he appeared for eight months as Greg Andersen, the father of original character Natasha.