Applause for Sydney Devine as Scottish showbiz legend is laid to rest
The singer passed away earlier this month.
Last updated 25th Feb 2021
Mourners lined the streets in Ayrshire as Scottish showbiz legend, Sydney Devine, was laid to rest today. (Thursday 25th February 2021)
His funeral was held in Alloway, South Ayrshire and attended by only 20 of his close family and friends due to current coronavirus restrictions.
The singer and entertainer passed away earlier this month at the age of 81. He had been admitted to University Hospital in Ayr suffering from an undisclosed illness.
Mr Devine was best known for his version of the song Tiny Bubbles, selling millions of records throughout his long career.
Fans gathered outside The Gaiety Theatre in Ayr where his funeral cortege made a final stop before travelling to the cemetery.
The veteran singer was made an MBE in 2003 following a decade of fundraising for Marie Curie Cancer Care. He received the honour in October of that year from the Queen at Buckingham Palace in London.
In March 1979, Sydney sat down for an hour long interview with Radio Clyde ahead of one of his shows at the Pavillion theatre in Glasgow, revealing the highs and lows of his rise to fame.
He said, "I think I have been very lucky. I'm extremely lucky in the support I have. I just hope the people who come out and see me have been entertained, to the best that I can give.
"But there are people that have been in showbiz longer than I have and they have never had this kind of success. I would say to people to never give up hope and I think if you believe in yourself, then that's quite important."
"I think (fame) has changed people towards me. Attitudes change towards you. We had some good friends that we never hear from now because they don't feel good enough to be in your company. That is very sad."
When asked what the best part of his job was Sydney replied, "The applause. I think until this day and until the day I go to the grave, I'll still be stage struck."
Tributes following his death included Iain Gordon from the Pavillion. He said, "I have worked with Sydney and the band since 1976 and have to say, I have never seen a bad performance, he was the ultimate showman and performer. That is truly hard to find in this business. Syd always took time for everyone, fans, staff and other performers.
"He was one of the Pavilion Family and is a great loss to everyone who followed him over the years. Generations of families have grown up with Sydney, playing his music and passing it down through the generations. Over the years, we have seen parents bringing their kids to see him and in turn, they would bring their kids to the annual Sydney Devine Weekend."
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also paid tribute by tweeting, "For Scots of a certain vintage - which definitely includes me - the name Sydney Devine was once synonymous with Scottish entertainment. A true legend."
In 2015, Sydney made a surprise appearance at West FM's studio in a parody video around the release of the Fifty Shades of Grey film. Watch that moment below.