McKellar: One of Scotland's best-loved entertainers.
Kenneth McKellar, known to millions of Scots thanks to his appearances on STV’s Thingamajig and BBC Hogmanay broadcasts, has died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 82.
The Paisley-born McKellar also represented the UK in the 1966 Eurovision Song Contest, and his recordings of Robert Burns’ songs are regarded by many as the definitive versions.
A family spokesman said that he passed away at his daughter's home at Lake Tahoe in the USA after a short illness.
His daughter Jane McKellar, 46, said: "It was very, very sudden and very fast, so it came as quite a shock to all of us.
"But he kept very, very spirited and funny and warm right through to the end, so that was a blessing.
"I hope people will remember him for the breadth of the music he made. He also had a great sense of humour.
"He was a very private person, so for someone who spent so much time in the public eye, when he was off-stage he was an intensely private person."
Sir Sean Connery paid tribute to the singer, saying: "Kenneth McKellar had a wonderful voice, but above all he was an outstanding human being, with a sparkling sense of humour.
"Kenneth was one of the earliest trustees of the Scottish International Education Trust, and I knew him for 40 years. He worked tirelessly in the interests of young artistic talent in Scotland, using his huge international profile to encourage young Scots to excel.
"Kenneth's death is an enormous loss to the nation, and above all of course to his family and friends, to whom I send my condolences."
Born on June 23 1927, McKellar initially trained to be a forester but later went to the Royal College of Music to train as an opera singer.
After an unfulfilling career with the Carl Rosa opera company, McKellar decided to concentrate on traditional songs from his Scottish homeland.
His big break came in 1947 when the BBC broadcasted him singing the 18th-century ballad opera The Gentle Shepherd. McKellar later recalled: “The music for it was arranged by Cedric Thorpe Davie, who was Professor of Music at St. Andrew's University. I sang the main tenor part in that. It was very beautiful. That was my introduction to broadcasting.”
McKellar also had the distinction to be the first artist played on Radio Clyde when it began broadcasting in 1973.
The tenor recorded at least 35 LPs during his career, many of which are still available as CDs.
As well as his daughter Jane, Mr McKellar leaves his son Kenneth, brother James and five granddaughters.
His wife Hedy died in 1990.
