Peter Skellern tragically passed away aged 69 on Friday. The singer, who famously topped the charts in 1972 with hit You're A Lady, was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour last year. He had revealed the news last October, before fulfilling his dream of being ordained as a priest of the Church of England. Peter leaves behind wife Diana and the couple's two children, who confirmed the sad news. "Peter's creativity in art, comedy and music stand as his legacy to love and laughter," they said in a statement. "The love he brought to us will continue to be shared with everyone through his music. We will miss him with all our hearts."
Peter Skellern has passed away aged 69
Born in Lancashire, Peter was always destined for a career in music; not only did he study piano at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, but he also enjoyed brief stints in bands including Harlem and March Hare. He was catapulted to fame in the 1970s with hits including You're A Lady – which was even covered by Brigitte Bardot - and Hold On to Love, as well as other stints including singing the theme tune for TV series Billy Liar and working on BBC Radio 4's Stop the Week.
The singer is best known for his hit You're A Lady
The father-of-two was prompted to fulfil his lifelong dream of being ordained in the Church of England after being told by doctors that he had "a year to live" when they diagnosed him with a brain tumour. Last October, under a special faculty from the Archbishop of Canterbury, the singer was able to achieve his goal, as well as being allowed the rare privilege of being ordained as a deacon as well, on the same day.
"For about a week I hung in this abyss and I just grabbed God," Peter told The Mirror at the time about his diagnosis. "I was given a year to live and everything fell, apart from my belief in God. It was like that for about a week and then God closed the ground beneath me and I became resigned and happy and I have been like that ever since."