Renowned Northern Irish singer Clodagh Rodgers has passed away at the age of 78. The celebrated Eurovision star, who represented the United Kingdom in 1971, died peacefully on Friday surrounded by her family after a three-year illness.
Originally from Warrenpoint, County Down, Rodgers rose to fame in the 1960s and 1970s with a string of chart-topping hits and TV appearances.
Her most iconic moment came during the 1971 Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin, where she performed Jack in the Box. Despite receiving threats from the IRA for representing the UK, she finished in fourth place, and the song later became a top-five UK hit.
Rodgers’ son confirmed her passing on social media, describing her as the heart and soul of their family. Fans across the UK and Ireland also paid tribute online, remembering her powerful voice, warm personality, and decades-long contribution to British entertainment.
Clodagh Rodgers began her career in music at just 13, supporting popular singer Michael Holliday. With the help of her father, a dance hall promoter, she signed her first record contract and made her television debut on Adam Faith’s BBC variety show in 1962.
Throughout the 1960s, she became a household name, regularly appearing on television and starring in musical films such as Just For Fun (1963) and It’s All Over Town (1964).
Her hits Come Back and Shake Me and Goodnight Midnight also enjoyed commercial success, cementing her status as a leading figure in British pop music.
In 1978, Rodgers hosted ITV’s St Patrick’s Day variety special and graced the cover of TV Times. She later teamed up with broadcaster Terry Wogan on the popular game show 3-2-1 and made guest appearances on The Two Ronnies and The Ronnie Corbett Show.
Although she stepped back from music to focus on her family, Clodagh Rodgers eventually returned to the spotlight with roles in West End musicals and appearances in dramas such as ITV’s The Bill.
Her legacy as one of Northern Ireland’s most beloved entertainers remains firmly intact, with tributes continuing to pour in from fans and fellow performers alike.
