Singer and actor Alvin Stardust dies aged 72

Star had recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer

Alvin Stardust, then known as Shane Fenton and born Bernard William Jewry, at Shirley Bassey’s Record Shop on West End Lane, London in 1962. Photograph:  PA
Alvin Stardust, then known as Shane Fenton and born Bernard William Jewry, at Shirley Bassey’s Record Shop on West End Lane, London in 1962. Photograph: PA

Singer and actor Alvin Stardust died this morning aged 72 after a short illness, his manager said.

He had recently been diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer and died at home with his wife and family around him.

The singer — real name Bernard Jewry — started out in the music business in the 1960s but became a huge star on the back of the 1970s glam rock craze scoring hits with tracks including My Coo Ca Choo and Jealous Mind.

Alvin Stardust arriving for the wedding reception of Anthea Turner and Grant Bovey in 2000. Photograph: Sean Dempsey/PA
Alvin Stardust arriving for the wedding reception of Anthea Turner and Grant Bovey in 2000. Photograph: Sean Dempsey/PA
Alvin Stardust (second left) at Shirley Bassey’s Record Shop on West End Lane, London in 1962 with (from left) Danny Williams, Alvin Stardust, Shirley Bassey and Jess Conrad. Photograph: PA
Alvin Stardust (second left) at Shirley Bassey’s Record Shop on West End Lane, London in 1962 with (from left) Danny Williams, Alvin Stardust, Shirley Bassey and Jess Conrad. Photograph: PA