A father and husband who spent years as a professional club singer has died.

Dennis Francis, born in 1932, in Station Road, Meopham, worked for DRG Group in Northfleet for 23 years until he was made redundant in 1981, after which he became a self employed painter/decorator and ‘odd job man’.

In his teenage years he was a member of Meopham Youth Club, and went on to sing in clubs and associations in Gravesham before being professionally contracted to sing at Granada cinemas and Mecca dance halls – appearing on the same bill as stars like Adam Faith.

Married, with three children, he joined popular local band, the Len Russell Combo, and regularly entered competitions.

Mr Francis suffered a severe stroke in 2001. The last eight years of his life were spent at Wombwell Hall Nursing Home, until he died on March 26.His daughter, Kim Francis, said: “He was always on the go and lived life to the full – a real character, but he always had time to help out.”

Mr Francis’s funeral is on Friday at 1pm at St John the Baptist Church, Meopham.