Esther Rantzen pays tribute to Lynsey de Paul

Esther Rantzen has paid tribute to singer-songwriter Lynsey de Paul, who died last week of a suspected brain haemorrhage.

Known for her songs ‘Sugar Me’ and ‘Won’t Somebody Dance With Me,’ de Paul represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest.

“She was a renaissance woman,” said Rantzen.

“She could do everything – sing, compose – she was an immensely talented artist.

She became a huge star but she was also a loyal and generous friend. It’s an absolutely tragic loss.”

Born in Cricklewood, she suffered at the hands of an abusive father and later became known for her rollercoaster love life, dating Sean Connery, Ringo Starr, Dudley Moore, Hollywood star James Coburn and West End producer Bill Kenwright.

Her agent Michael Joyce said: “Although she was small in stature, she was very big in positive personality.

She was always so positive about everything.”