Born in 1931 in Leeds, Marion Ryan, the singing star of the 1950s and 1960s was once described as Britain's answer to Marilyn Monroe. She was the quintessential blonde bombshell with a voice to match.

Marion worked her way up from dingy Leeds dance halls, where she was spotted by band leader Ray Ellington, to financial success, presenting ITV's 'Spot The Tune' twice a week in 1959. Her hard work paid off when her single, 'Love Me Forever' - released on UK Pye label in 1958, became a big hit and regular appearances on the royal variety performances in the 1960s guaranteed her a place in the hearts of the British public.

In America, her career took off with an appearance on The Bob Hope Show and a song with Bing Crosby. in 1963 she made a film - 'It's All Happening' - alongside Tommy Steele.

An early marriage produced twins, Paul and Barry Ryan, the 1960s pop singing duo.

Marion retired in 1967 and married for a second time to millionaire impresario Harold Davison, a concert promoter with Frank Sinatra and Engelbert Humperdinck among his clients.

The couple, who had a daughter, Caroline, moved to Florida over 10 years ago.

Marion was admitted to Boca Raton community hospital in Florida suffering from pneumonia where she tragically died of a heart attack at the age of 67 on 19th January 1999.