The Bachelors, who hail from Dublin are known for their chart-topping songs of the '60s, which included 'I Believe', 'Charmaine', and 'I Wouldn't Trade You For the World'. The band also had two BBC TV series, as well as appearing in a number of other shows, films, and theatrical productions across the world during the '60s and '70s.

And the band made history, as the first Irish group to have a UK number one single with their hit 'Diane', which topped the charts for a week in February 1964. That same year, the trio were up against pop heavyweights The Beatles, who had three number ones.

Con formed the band with his younger brother, Declan, and their friend John Stokes in 1957. Originally called 'The Harmonichords', the group changed their name to The Bachelors in 1960, before enjoying years of chart success with hits reaching the top 10 in countries across the globe.

In a touching tribute to the late musician, posted in yesterday's Huddersfield Examiner (Thursday, April 14), Con's family said: "It is with deep sorrow that we announce the peaceful passing on the 8th April 2022 of Con Cluskey, lead singer of The Bachelors, from complications related to COVID at Calderdale Royal Hospital, West Yorkshire, UK.

"The Bachelors enjoyed numerous chart topping songs in the 1960's including I Believe, Charmaine, Ramona, Diane and I Wouldn't Trade You For The World. They also had two BBC TV series and appeared in a number of TV series', films and theatrical productions globally across the 60's, 70's and beyond. They continued to tour throughout the intervening years until the first lockdown in 2020, playing to packed houses of fans who stayed loyal over the decades.

"Con leaves four children, Carole, Greg, Michael & Phillip and three grandchildren Freddie, Lydia and Miles. Our thoughts are also with his devoted brother and Co-star Dec with whom he enjoyed over 60 years of music success. Con is now reunited with his beloved wife of 56 years Kay, who passed away in October 2017."