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Stage legend La Rue dies at 81 Stage legend La Rue dies at 81
(20 minutes later)
Entertainer Danny La Rue has died at his home in Kent at the age of 81, according to reports. Entertainer Danny La Rue has died at his home in Kent at the age of 81, his spokeswoman has said.
La Rue's spokeswoman told the PA News Agency that the star had died after suffering from cancer.
"Danny died peacefully in his sleep just before midnight last night after a short illness," she said."Danny died peacefully in his sleep just before midnight last night after a short illness," she said.
"His beloved companion Annie Galbraith was with him at their home in Kent," she added. La Rue made a career out of his vaudeville drag act. "His beloved companion Annie Galbraith was with him at their home in Kent," she added.
But he disliked being called a drag artist, preferring the term "comic in a frock". La Rue had been suffering from cancer. He made a career out of his vaudeville drag act although he disliked being called a drag artist.
La Rue preferred the term "comic in a frock".
Famous fanFamous fan
La Rue made few appearances on television, but played a leading role in keeping the traditions of music hall and pantomime alive. He made few appearances on television, but played a leading role in keeping the traditions of music hall and pantomime alive.
La Rue opened his own nightclub in 1964 with more than 13,000 members
In the 1970s and 1980s, La Rue was the most famous female impersonator in the world and was at one time the highest-paid entertainer in Britain, according to The Stage newspaper.In the 1970s and 1980s, La Rue was the most famous female impersonator in the world and was at one time the highest-paid entertainer in Britain, according to The Stage newspaper.
He received an OBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace in 2002 who admitted to being a long-time fan of the entertainer.He received an OBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace in 2002 who admitted to being a long-time fan of the entertainer.
La Rue, who was born Daniel Patrick Carroll in Cork, Ireland, moved to London with his mother when he was nine.La Rue, who was born Daniel Patrick Carroll in Cork, Ireland, moved to London with his mother when he was nine.
He first donned his wig and eyelashes during a naval concert party, having been sent to Singapore as part of Lord Mountbatten's invasion task force towards the end of World War II.He first donned his wig and eyelashes during a naval concert party, having been sent to Singapore as part of Lord Mountbatten's invasion task force towards the end of World War II.
He went on to become a West End cabaret star and was the first female impersonator to appear at the Royal Variety performance in front of the Queen.
He was appointed an OBE in 2002.