‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’ singer Bonnie Tyler dies age 75

Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler, best known for hit songs Total Eclipse of the Heart and Holding Out for a Hero, has died aged 75.

A statement from her family and team said Tyler “unexpectedly passed away last night in hospital in Portugal as a result of the illness that she was being treated for”.

“We will issue a further statement shortly but for now ask for privacy to deal with this tragedy,” the statement said.

Tyler had been in intensive care after undergoing emergency intestinal surgery in Faro, Portugal, where she had a home.

Last month, a representative said she was no longer in an induced coma but remained seriously ill.

An earlier statement on Tyler’s website said: “We are very sorry to announce that Bonnie has been admitted to hospital in Faro, Portugal, where she has a home, for emergency intestinal surgery. The surgery went well, and she is now recuperating.

“We know that all of her family, friends, and fans will be concerned about this news and will be wishing her well for a full and swift recovery.”

Tyler, born Gaynor Hopkins, grew up in Neath, Wales.

She was discovered by talent scout Roger Bell while performing in a club in Swansea.

She went on to enjoy a hugely successful career, earning three Grammy nominations and being appointed an MBE for services to music.

Known for her distinctive husky voice, Tyler had previously said she had no plans to retire.

“I started singing when I was 17 and I never thought I’d still be doing it at this age. I’ve slowed down a little bit, but I know now that I will never retire,” she told the Sunday Mirror newspaper’s Notebook magazine.

“Even though I was so lucky because I was in Portugal when the first lockdown was announced, by the end of it, I’d had enough. I was going crazy. I needed to get back out there on the road!”

This article was originally published by Bang Showbiz, with additional reporting NZ Herald, and it republished with permission.