Bonnie Tyler: Total Eclipse of the Heart singer, 75, dies 'unexpectedly' in hospital in Portugal

Total Eclipse Of The Heart singer Bonnie Tyler has died aged 75.

A statement on the singer’s website reads: "Bonnie's family and team are heartbroken to announce that Bonnie unexpectedly passed away last night in hospital in Portugal as a result of the illness that she was being treated for.

“We will issue a further statement shortly but for now ask for privacy to deal with this tragedy.”

In May, the singer was rushed to hospital in the Portuguese city of Faro for emergency intestinal surgery and was placed in an induced coma to aid her recovery.

Last month, a spokesperson said she was out of a coma but remained very unwell in intensive care. A number of summer tour dates were either postponed or cancelled.

Tyler was due to perform at the Sunshine Festival in Worcester this summer, along with a number of European dates, and was also booked to perform at Cardiff’s Utilita Arena on December 17.

Now in light of her untimely death, the Welsh First Minister, Rhun ap Iorwerth, said Wales “lost a true icon” in a tribute shared on X.

He said: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Bonnie Tyler. Wales has lost a true icon, whose music brought joy to so many.

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and fans across the world.”

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Neath also paid an emotional tribute to the singer on X, and said she was “so sad” to hear about the death of a “Welsh music icon” – who she described as “the sound of my teenage years”.

Welsh broadcaster Carol Vorderman wrote on Instagram: “I'm so very sorry to hear this. As a Welsh woman Bonnie and her music represented so much to us, it was about fighting and power and living life without apology.

“May you rest in Musical Glory Bonnie.”

Sir Keir Starmer also shared a tribute with the prime minister's official spokesman described her as “one of Britain's greatest recording artists”.

He added: “An iconic figure, she leaves behind a catalogue of music - from Total Eclipse Of The Heart, to Holding Out For A Hero - which continues to touch lives, flood dance floors and fill karaoke booths.

”The prime minister's thoughts are very much with her friends and family.”

The singer, whose real name was Gaynor Sullivan, achieved international fame in the 1980s with the release of her hit single Total Eclipse Of The Heart, which shot to the top of the charts in the UK and US.

Faster Than The Speed of Night, the album which featured the smash-hit track, was also a chart-topping success and landed the singer her only UK number one album.

Recognisable for her husky voice, Tyler has released many other hit songs over the years including Holding Out For A Hero, It’s A Heartache and If You Were A Woman (And I Was A Man).

She represented the UK in the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, with the song Believe In Me, finishing in 19th place.

The star, who was born in Neath in South Wales, continued to make music and perform up until her death, having released her 18th studio album The Best Is Yet To Come in 2021.

Despite being a widely acclaimed and globally renowned star, Tyler never received a Grammy Award during her decades-long career but did receive three nominations.

She was made an MBE in 2023 for services to music.