Joy Beverley had died aged 91

Her son, Vince Wright, told the Express & Star newspaper: "We all thought the world of her and we are devastated she is gone. We are a very close-knit family. She was a very bubbly, but private, character.

"We are all going to miss her terribly, she has been a part of our lives for so long now it really is going to be a big loss for all of us."

The London-born musician had three children, Vince, Vicky and Babette, with her soccer star husband Billy Wright, whom she was married to from 1958 until his death in 1994.

Joy and her twin sisters, Teddie and Babs, were all made MBEs in 2006 for their services to music.

The Beverley Sisters rose to prominence during the 1950s and were best known for their hit singles 'Little Drummer Boy', 'I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus' and their version of the Irving Berlin-written 'Sisters'.

Joy is survived by her sisters, her three children, as well as three granddaughters and one grandson.