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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Tiffany Wallis

Kenny Lynch's bid to restart his career on Vegas show just 12 months before death

Kenny Lynch tragically aged 81 as his family took to social media on Wednesday to announce the sad news.

The showbiz legend, who was awarded an OBE, was a much loved entertainer, actor, singer and songwriter after building his career by performing in variety shows in the 1960s.

After a booming career in spotlight throughout the 60's, the star attempted to regain some of his fame by reuniting with some of the nation's favourite veteran stars to put on a variety show in 2018.

His appearance in 2018's ITV show Last Laugh in Vegas seemed to be Kenny's last attempt to restart his career in showbiz.

Legendary entertainer Kenny Lynch attempted to restart his career by joining other British variety stars of the past for a spectacular show in Sin City (ITV)
Kenny Lynch tragically passed away aged 81 on Monday (ITV)

He joined singer Anita Harris , former pop idol Jess Conrad, Hi-De-Hi star Su Pollard , pianist Bobby Crush and comedians Mick Miller and Bernie Clifton for the five-part special ITV show.

The show followed the line-up of legends from the 60s, 70s and 80s as they staged a spectacular one-off show in Las Vegas, mentored by legendary Sin City showman Frank Marino.

Cameras captured the stars' journeys from their homes in the UK to the stage in Vegas as they spend a month exploring the strip, rehearsing, reminiscing and living together.

After a showbiz career in the 60's, the star tried to regain some fame by reuniting with veteran stars to put on a show in 2018 (ITV)

Viewers watched in awe as the eight British showbiz legends were let loose in the Nevada City and were treated to a unique insight into the icons' vast and varied careers.

ITV went totally nostalgic as it decided to bring the British showbiz veterans back to our screens for one last hurrah.

Kenny's bid to restart his career last year was also seen in his commitment to his schedule in 2018 as he headed out on tour with fellow Last Laugh In Vegas star Anita Harris, as well as veteran comic Jimmy Tarbuck.

His appearance in 2018's ITV show Last Laugh in Vegas seemed to be Kenny's last attempt to restart his career in showbiz (ITV)
The show followed the legends from the 60s, 70s and 80s as they staged a spectacular one-off show in Las Vegas (ITV)

At the peak of his showbiz career, Kenny was one of few black singers in British pop music.

Kenny had several hits in the UK in the early 1960s, including top tens You Can Never Stop Me Loving You and Up On The Roof.

He also appeared in numerous TV shows as an actor and a panellist – from Z-Cars and Till Death Do Us Part to Room At The Bottom and Celebrity Squares.

Kenny's bid to restart his career was also seen in 2018 as he headed out on tour with Anita Harris and Jimmy Tarbuck (ITV)

The singer was on the same bill as The Beatles in 1963, and ended up worked with them on a song.

The sad news of his death aged 81 was shared by his children, who shared a string of photos of him on Twitter .

The family said in a statement: "Saddened to share this news with you all. Sadly our dad passed away in the early hours this morning."

ITV went totally nostalgic as it decided to bring the British showbiz veterans back to our screens for one last hurrah (ITV)

They continued: "He will be remembered & missed by many. We would like to say a massive thank you to the NHS & the people at Sue Ryder for all their support.

"Bye Dad, we will love you always!"

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