Kenny Lynch death: Actor and singer who became one of Britain's first black pop stars dies aged 81

Sign up to Roisin O’Connor’s free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Get our Now Hear This email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Entertainer Kenny Lynch, known for roles in Carry On Loving and TV show The Sweeney along with a successful pop career, has died aged 81. He was one of the UK’s first black pop stars, who toured with The Beatles and achieved two top 10 hits including “Up on the Roof”, which was originally recorded by The Drifters. Broadcaster Danny Baker described him as “one of the key witnesses to the 20th UK music/entertainment scene had a million stories”. He was there.” Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 4 month free trial Sign up Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 4 month free trial Sign up Culture Club singer Boy George described him as “ absolutely huge part of my 70s life”, while broadcaster Samira Ahmed called Lynch a “hugely important & stylish figure in British culture … proving to kids like me that we belonged”.