English 60s pop star Craig Douglas has passed away aged 85.
The star, real name Terence Perkins, was popular in the late 1950s and early 1960s, with his UK chart-topper Only Sixteen outselling Sam Cooke’s original version.
Family confirmed on Sunday that the star, who was known as The Singing Milkman, had died peacefully at home after a short illness.
The statement read: ‘It is with great sadness that I have to inform you that Craig peacefully passed away this afternoon. He will be greatly missed by myself, his family, and his close friends. Rest in peace, Craig.’
At the height of Craig’s fame, he outsold acts including Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. He was managed by esteemed producer Bunny Lewis.
He recorded eight cover versions of American hit songs with nine of his tracks among the Top 40 UK singles, including Only Sixteen, which he recorded in 1959 at Abbey Road Studios.
English 60s pop star Craig Douglas has passed away aged 85 (pictured in 1959)
In 2010, he sang three songs from his wheelchair at the end of the Amersham Rock ‘n’ Roll Club benefit concert in his name
In 1961, Craig entered the A Song for Europe contest with his original song A Girl Next Door. He also starred in the 1962 film It’s Trad, Dad! and topped the bill for the Beatles’ first major stage show.
His final record, Town Crier, was released in February 1963 and reached number 36.
In an interview with Wooley’s Beat in 2024, Craig was asked if he had any regrets, to which he said: ‘Well, I didn’t get married to start with, which was a shame..
‘I would have liked to have had a couple of children, but if I had, I’d miss them like mad while I was away’.
Following his huge success it the 60s, through the rest of his career Craig performed in nightclubs and on cruise ships as well as touring venues in the UK.
In 2010, he sang three songs from his wheelchair at the end of the Amersham Rock ‘n’ Roll Club benefit concert in his name.
Family confirmed on Sunday that the star, who was known as The Singing Milkman, had died peacefully at home after a short illness (pictured in 1962)
Craig pictured in 1963
