Entertainer Danny La Rue dies at 81

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The legendary female impersonator, who was 81, had been suffering from cancer.

His spokeswoman said: "Danny died peacefully in his sleep just before midnight last night after a short illness. His beloved companion Annie Galbraith was with him at their home in Kent."

La Rue enjoyed a glittering career for some 60 years and was once described by Noel Coward as: "The most professional, the most witty... and the most utterly charming man in the business." Bob Hope is also said to have called him: "The most glamorous woman in the world."

La Rue was born Daniel Patrick Carroll in Cork, Ireland, the youngest in a family of five. Aged nine, he was brought to England where the family settled initially in London.

He was evacuated to Devon during the Blitz and worked in a store in Exeter after leaving school aged 15.

The star worked in cabaret alongside Barbara Windsor when first starting out. He opened his own nightclub in Hanover Square in 1964, attracting well over 13,000 members.

On the West End stage he triumphed in seven major shows including Come Spy With Me at the Whitehall Theatre, The Danny La Rue Show at the Prince of Wales theatre, and Aladdin at the London Palladium.

He has undertaken 53 pantomimes at major venues all over the country. His national tour with his Danny La Rue Show was a box office success and he was a particular hit in Australia, where he would spend half his working year entertaining in television as well as theatre and cabaret seasons.

La Rue was awarded an OBE in recognition of his work for charity and theatre. In early 2006 he suffered a mild stroke and planned UK performances were cancelled.