Legendary singer dies aged 85 after being diagnosed with incurable lung cancer
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Irish singer and sax player Paddy Cole has died at the age of 85. The musician - who celebrated his 8th birthday on December 17 - was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2022. He was receiving hospice care at the time of his death. Paddy first appeared on stage at the 12 and began his career in the 1960s with the Capitol Showband.
![[The musician - who celebrated his 8th birthday on December 17 - was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2022]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/23/15/94438277-14317831-image-a-3_1737646726366.jpg)
He was introduced to showbusiness by his father, a postman who supplemented his earnings by playing in dance bands. The singer, who was from Co. Monaghan, moved to Las Vegas in the early 1970s where he joined The Big Eight Showband, a group of Irish musicians.
![[He was receiving hospice care at the time of his death. Paddy first appeared on stage at the 12 and began his career in the 1960s with the Capitol Showband.]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/23/15/94438271-14317831-image-a-2_1737646496498.jpg)
He also owned a restaurant in his hometown of Castleblayney with his wife Helen although he lived in Dublin at the time of his death. Irish singer and sax player Paddy Cole has died at the age of 85. The musician - who celebrated his 8th birthday on December 17 - was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2022.
![[The singer, who was from Co. Monaghan, moved to Las Vegas in the early 1970s where he joined The Big Eight Showband, a group of Irish musicians]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/23/15/94438281-14317831-image-a-15_1737646962774.jpg)
Paddy previously admitted he 'never thought' he would make it to 85 after he was diagnosed with incurable cancer. Speaking to RSVP, he said: 'My health is up and down, I have some good days, some bad days, but I'm keeping the best side out as best I can.
'I keep in touch with the people in the hospice all the time and they keep me on the pain killers and all that sort of stuff, so I'm getting on with it is the only way I can put it.'. His passing was confirmed by his son Pat in a statement reading: 'The music world mourns the loss of the legendary Paddy Cole, a beloved entertainer who brought joy to thousands with his vibrant personality and infectious music.
