Folk singer Jake Thackray dies at 63

Jake Thackray, the folk singer and songwriter whose quirky repertoire included "La Di Dah" and "Sister Josephine", has died at the age of 63.

Thackray, who was born in Yorkshire, had a series of best-selling albums in the 1960s and 1970s and was a regular on the television showsThat's Life with Ester Rantzen and The David Frost Show.

Brian Fahey, the former musical director of BBC Scottish Radio Orchestra, said: "He was unique. The strength of his lyrics was breathtaking. I would equate him as the same kind of wit as Noël Coward."

Thackray, who had three sons, retired to live in Monmouth, south Wales, with his wife, Sheila. He was declared bankrupt two years ago. The cause of his death has not been disclosed.