Joy Beverley, of the Beverley Sisters, dies from stroke aged 91

Joy Beverley, of Bethnal Green-based vocal harmony group The Beverley Sisters, has died at the age of 91.

The singer, who was married to footballer Billy Wright, passed away after suffering a stroke last week, it has been confirmed.

Her son, Vince, 67, told the Express & Star newspaper: "We all thought the world of her and we are devastated she is gone. We are a very close-knit family.

"She was a very bubbly, but private, character.”

He added: "We are all going to miss her terribly, she has been a part of our lives for so long now it really is going to be a big loss for all of us."

Joy was the eldest of the trio, which included twin sisters Teddie and Babs, and released a number of hit songs including Sister and I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.

Active from 1994 to 2000, the Beverley Sisters were thought to be the highest paid female entertainers in the UK for more than two decades.

Joy’s husband, who played for Wolverhampton Wanderers, died of pancreatic cancer back in 1994.