Beverley Sisters Singer Joy Dies Aged 91

Singer Joy Beverley, who found fame in the 1950s with her twin sisters, has died at the age of 91.

A family friend confirmed Beverley, 91, died on Monday after she reportedly suffered a stroke last week.

Her son, Vince, 67, told the Express & Star newspaper: "We all thought the world of her and we are devastated she is gone. We are a very close-knit family."

"She was a very bubbly, but private, character."

"We are all going to miss her terribly, she has been a part of our lives for so long now it really is going to be a big loss for all of us."

Joy was the eldest of the sisters. Twins Teddie and Babs were born in 1927.

Born in Bethnal Green, east London, the girls seemed destined to have a career in music.

Their parents were George and Victoria Beverley, who performed as a music hall duo.

During the Second World War, the sisters landed a campaign for Ovaltine to star as "Bonnie Babies" in their adverts.

Their status as celebrities blossomed and they went on to land their own TV show, Three Little Girls In View, which later was re-named as Those Beverley Sisters.

Columbia Records signed them in 1951, and the contract led to them becoming the highest paid female act of their time.

Their hits included I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, Bye Bye Love and Always And Forever.

Beverley was married to England and Wolverhampton Wanderers football Billy Wright and the pair were the Posh and Becks of their day.

Apart from their record-breaking earnings, the sisters went on to enjoy a successful career.

They appeared in the 2002 Guinness Book of Records, performed for The Queen and were later made MBEs for services to music.

Beverley is survived by the twins and her three children - Vince, Vicky and Babette.