Younger viewers today might find it hard to believe that one of the biggest shows on UK television for nearly two decades involved an Irishman in a colourful sweater sitting in a rocking chair and singing about Paddy McGinty's goat.
However, Val Doonican, who died yesterday at the age of 88, was a talented and enduringly popular family entertainer who famously sold more albums than The Beatles at one stage during their peak year of 1967.
Waterford-born Mr Doonican was also noted for supporting the early careers of other Irish performers through his prime time Saturday night BBC slot, including the comedians Roy Walker and the late Dave Allen.
His material may appear dated in the digital era, but his success was the result of exceptionally hard work and he had the rare ability to touch a chord with an enormous audience of all ages and backgrounds.
