Showband star and 'beloved entertainer' Paddy Cole dies at 85

Mr Cole was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2022 and had received hospice care before his death.

Originally from Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, he first joined a band aged 15.

He moved to Dublin and is survived by his wife Helen and their three children, Pearse, Pat, and Karen.

His son Pat said in a statement: "The music world mourns the loss of the legendary Paddy Cole, a beloved entertainer who brought joy to thousands with his vibrant personality and infectious music.

From the Capitol Showband to his own Superstars, Paddy Cole's saxophone, clarinet, and vocals filled dance halls and concert stages with his signature blend of jazz, Dixieland, and showband sounds. His music transcended generations, creating memories that will forever be cherished.

"On behalf of his family, we express our deepest gratitude for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time. Paddy’s legacy will live on through the music he created and the joy he shared with the world."

Mr Cole first rose to musical prominence in the 1960s with the Capitol Showband.

He moved to Las Vegas and joined The Big Eight Showband with singers Brendan Bowyer, Tom Dunphy, and Twink. Elvis Presley attended one of their shows, and they subsequently met multiple times in Presley's dressing room in Vegas.

He later fronted The Paddy Cole Superstars.

Taoiseach Simon Harris said he was saddened by the music legend's death. He described Mr Cole as an "exceptional music talent, a gifted performer, a warm-spirited person, and an 85-year-old who never grew old".

"His achievements are eye-watering and his adventures almost swashbuckling, best captured in his excellent memoir, King of the Swingers," Mr Harris said in a statement.

"He joked that some people were born with silver spoons in their mouths, he was born with a silver sax. His admirers included Elvis, who came to see Paddy perform multiple times in Las Vegas.

"Paddy was also a talented broadcaster on both RTÉ television and later the Paddy Cole Hour on weekend radio, the embodiment of the companionship and magic of a great radio show.

His first love always remained performing live, something he continued to do well into his 80s.

"Paddy spoke with great dignity in recent years about his battle with cancer and to his wife Helen, his children, all his family and friends as well as those who loved and admired him, I am terribly sorry for your loss."

Mr Cole died just two months after his friend and fellow showband legend Dickie Rock.

“I’ve seen the world through music, I’ve reared a family doing something I love, and it doesn’t get much better than that in life,” Mr Cole said in a recent interview with the Sunday World.

Paying tribute, broadcaster Gerry Kelly posted on X: “So saddened to learn that another giant of the music business, Paddy Cole, has died. A brilliant musician, a trailblazer and one of the nicest men you could ever wish to meet.”