Cuban singer Margarita Pracatan has died at the age of 89, it has been confirmed.
Her cause of death is yet to be revealed but her close friends announced the sad news today on social media platform Twitter.
Margarita passed away on Tuesday, June 23, in New York.
The 89-year-old was best known for her appearances on The Clive James Show.
James discovered her cable TV programme in America in 1994 and invited her to the UK to appear on his show.
She was known for her novelty performances on the ITV show.
James once said of her music: "She never lets the words or melody get in her way. She is us, without the fear of failure."
In 2019 she appeared in an episode of Real Housewives of New York City to perform a cover of Money Can't Buy You Class.
On June 13, less than two weeks before she died, she shared a video of herself singing to her Twitter account.
She looked happy and healthy as she sang popular Mexican song Cielito Lindo.
Margarita captioned the video: "Canta y no llores - be happy!
"Why? It’s good for your heart and your espirit!!"
She added the hashtags #joy #loveyourlife #EnjoyingEverydayLife.
BBC radio host Matthew Sweet tweeted the news alongside a picture of Margarita today.
He wrote: “Sorry to hear of the death of Margarita Pracatan, social media star before social media.
"We got her live on @BBCRadio3 once, to the faint annoyance of Clive James.
"In 2017 I saw her live in Catford & was delighted to discover she still considered the right notes unnecessary."
