Daily Express

Ferry ‘saddened and shocked’ at death of ex-wife Lucy, 58

- By Joshua Haigh

LUCY Birley, the former wife of Roxy Music singer Bryan Ferry, has died aged 58.

The former model and socialite passed away while on holiday in Ireland, a family spokesman said. She married singersong­writer Ferry in 1982, when she was 22 and he was 36.

They had four sons together before divorcing in 2003.

Ferry had credited Lucy with saving him from a “distraught” time in his life, and once said his relationsh­ip with her was tinged with “a pathetic sense of gratitude”.

The Love Is The Drug singer wrote on Twitter: “I’m much saddened and shocked by this tragic news of Lucy’s death.

“The family request that our privacy be respected during this difficult time.”

Lucy reportedly helped Ferry quit drugs, but then fell into alcoholism herself after the death of her father.

Eventually, she became a member of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Their marriage ended shortly after an incident on a flight to Nairobi, Kenya, when a passenger stormed the cockpit and threatened the pilot, almost causing a devastatin­g crash.

Ferry later said that moment was when he realised life was too short to continue being unhappy.

In an interview in 2011, Lucy said that she

A statement on behalf of Mr Birley and her children said: “On Monday, Lucy Birley (nee Helmore) passed away while on holiday in Ireland, surrounded by her beloved dogs, Daisy, Peg and Daphne.

“Her husband Robin and sons – Otis, Isaac, Tara and Merlin – are understand­ably devastated and request their privacy be respected during this difficult time.”

No further comment will be given, a family spokesman said. For a powerful and precise shave our wet or dry rotary shaver is essential Rechargeab­le cordless operation coupled with 3 dual track titanium rotary blades for a comfortabl­e shave Retractabl­e side precision trimmer Extra long 90 minute operation (approx.) 2 hour fast charge (approx.) Comfortabl­e ergonomic grip Green LED battery status indicator Includes A/C charging adaptor, travel pouch and cleaning brush £39.99 + £3.95 UK mainland p&p.

 ??  ?? Celebrity couple... Bryan Ferry with Lucy in Hyde Park in 1995 retreated from public life following the breakdown of their 21-year marriage for personal reasons, including the furore over their son Otis’s storming of the Commons chambers to protest...
Celebrity couple... Bryan Ferry with Lucy in Hyde Park in 1995 retreated from public life following the breakdown of their 21-year marriage for personal reasons, including the furore over their son Otis’s storming of the Commons chambers to protest...
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