Boney M singer Bobby Farrell dies on tour in Russia aged 61

The frontman of 1970s chart-toppers Boney M, Bobby Farrell, has died at the age of 61 while on tour in Russia.

The West Indian "King of Disco", who rose to fame thanks to the hit singles "Daddy Cool" and "Rasputin", was found dead in his hotel room yesterday. The cause of his death is not yet known.

Farrell's voice barely featured in many of the studio recordings of the group's biggest hits, yet his charismatic vocal and dance contributions to live performances earned him recognition among the quartet. Their 1978 cover of "Rivers of Babylon" not only made it to number one but also remains the UK's fifth-biggest selling single, with almost two million copies sold.

His agent, John Seine, told Reuters, "He did not feel well last night, and was having problems with his breathing, but he did the show anyway".