The last farewell

Legend of folk music dies age 87

- TON BRYANT

WHETHER it was his golden baritone, his skilful folk guitar or his expert whistling, Roger Whittaker delighted the world with his music.

The singer and troubadour, who has died aged 87, rose from tiny folk clubs to selling nearly 50 million records around the world with hits like Durham Town, The Last Farewell and New World in the Morning.

Away from the stage, he collected antiques selling his collection for a reported £1million in 1999 and mastered several languages.

His linguistic skills were such that he enjoyed huge popularity in those countries where he could sing in the native tongue, especially Germany.

He retired to France with his wife Natalie in 2012, and she and their children were by his side during his final moments at a hospital in the south of the country last Wednesday.

The family held a funeral for him three days later, following his cremation. In a statement, they said: "Roger was an iconic artist, a wonderful husband, and father.

He touched so many hearts with his music and will forever live on in our memories.