Tributes as Sydney Devine dies at 81

Star fought illness ‘with great dignity’

TRIBUTES poured in yesterday for Scottish showbiz legend Sydney Devine following his death at 81.

The Tiny Bubbles singer – who sold 15 million albums in a career spanning nearly 70 years – had been battling a mystery illness.

He died yesterday morning at University Hospital in Ayr.

Devine, whose career dates back to 1953, was one of the most successful Scottish performers of all time.

He was admitted to hospital on January 23 after complaining of breathlessness and chest pains.

Yesterday, his friend Iain Gordon, general manager at Glasgow’s Pavilion Theatre, shared the news of the star’s death on social media.

His post said: ‘This is probably the hardest thing I have ever had to announce. At 3.30am, our friend and star of the Pavilion, and Scottish legend, Sydney Devine has passed away.

‘I have worked with Sydney and the band since 1976 and I have never seen a bad performance – he was the ultimate showman and performer.

‘That is truly hard to find in this business. Syd always took time for everyone – fans, staff and other performers. I just texted him at 8.27am this morning wishing him well and hoped he had had a better week.

‘He was one of the Pavilion family and is a great loss to everyone who followed him over the years. Generations of families have grown up with Sydney, playing his music and passing it down through the generations.’

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was among the first to pay tribute to the singer, describing him as ‘a true legend’, adding in a tweet: ‘So sad. For Scots of a certain vintage – which definitely includes me – the name Sydney Devine was once synonymous with Scottish entertainment.’

Scottish Labour Party leadership hopeful Monica Lennon wrote: ‘Sad to hear the legendary Sydney Devine has passed away. A star of the Glasgow Pavilion and one of Scotland’s most successful entertainers, he will be sorely missed. Thoughts with his family and friends.’

Broadcaster Paul Coia said: ‘Last week my old Radio Clyde colleague Sydney Devine, a star on stage and record, got in touch out of the blue. I’m so glad I didn’t put off replying. Today he passed away. RIP legend.’

Born in 1940 in the Lanarkshire village of Cleland, Devine began his career as an entertainer at the age of only 13, whistling tunes.

He was offered a spot on a BBC Children’s Hour programme, in what was the early days of TV, having been discovered by the Scottish variety performer Robert Wilson.

Tenor Wilson, an early host of the White Heather Club, mentored Devine and took him on tours around the world alongside other Scottish entertainers, such as Andy Stewart.

But it was not until the 1970s, when Devine started playing country and western songs that he hit the big time – and gathered an almost exclusively female fan base.

His signature tune became Tiny Bubbles, while other hits included Legend In My Time, Scotland Forever and Maggie. His albums sold in their millions among fans.

But his wholesome image meant he was never going to be the coolest entertainer on the block. He became the butt of jokes at the hands of comedians and earned the nickname ‘Steak & Kidney’ – although he took it all in his stride and continued to entertain. In 2003 he was made an MBE.

Despite his failing health, he announced from his hospital bed that he planned to release a charity single for NHS workers. He had a history of heart problems, and suffered a double heart attack in 2019. His family were assured he did not have Covid.

His daughter Karen, 57, said: ‘Dad took unwell at home and knew it was a bit more serious than a normal chest infection. The doctors tried everything they could and battled non-stop to save my Dad.

‘He fought the illness with great dignity and with everything he had, but the illness took hold of him.

‘My Dad and the family have the greatest of respect for all the NHS doctors, nurses, and all the frontline workers who cared for him – we could not have wished for a better team to look after him, they were just brilliant, right to the end.’

The singer leaves behind his wife Shirley, 84, daughter Karen and a son, Scott.

‘He was the ultimate showman and performer’