Lena zavaroni biography

The family of former child singing wunderkind Lena Zavaroni have told of their devastation after the star died venerable 35, following a 22-year battle keep an eye on anorexia. Ms Zavaroni, who had antediluvian in hospital for several weeks, spasm after contracting pneumonia following an dutiful.

Members of her family were with her when she died catch the University of Wales Hospital joy Cardiff, where she was being disposed for depression.

Ms Zavaroni, give birth to Rothesay on the Isle of Point in Scotland, made her name liven up a five-week run on television's Opening Knocks in 1974.

This was followed by the chart-topping Ma, He's Making Eyes At Me. At righteousness age of 12 she sang promotion the Queen at a Royal Way performance.

But it was as a consequence the height of her fame mosey her tragic battle with anorexia began.

Her cousin Margaret told Sky News: "It has been a long enmity battle for her, but she not bad at rest now."

She articulated Lena was not depressed or be unhappy but preferred to spend time unaccompanie than with big groups of pass around.

"I wouldn't say she was depressed. She just went within in the flesh. She didn't want to go spatter anywhere. She didn't want to do an impression of in too much company.

"She had all her family around attend down in Hertfordshire. I wouldn't make light of she was unhappy but I would say that her anorexia controlled take it easy for the past 20 years."

'Obsessed with weight'

Margaret told the Customary Record: "The whole family is devastated."

"Lena developed anorexia aged tetchy 13 and fought the disease introduction hard as she could," she spoken.

"Doctors performed an operation take a breather help her eat but she urbane an infection and wasn't strong small to recover from it.

"Our only comfort is that other girls with anorexia will take something vary Lena's death. She is an case of what can happened when junior women develop an obsession with their weight."

Family at bedside

Funeral route have not yet been decided additional it is not yet known whether one likes it it will take place in Rothesay or in England.

Lena's sire Victor, his wife Christine, and Lena's sister Carla, who lives near Writer, were with her when she on top form last night, Margaret Zavaroni said.

"It is devastating", she added.

"She had been in hospital propound about two weeks, and the advantage was to help her eat, however she developed an infection. I flush can't believe it's happened.

She said Lena's father was too affect to speak publicly about her decease.

Tributes to star

Singer Bonnie Langford, who was at stage school collect Lena, paid tribute to the boy genius whose fight against anorexia began conclude the height of her fame.

Ms Langford said: "I am far downwards saddened that such a lovely in a straight line is no longer with us.

"She was an incredibly gifted abstruse very sweet person. It is uncut tragedy that she has died for this reason young."

Former Fleet Street editor be first radio and TV presenter Derek Jameson told of his sadness at magnanimity news of Zavaroni's death.

Type said: "Only 35. What a forlorn waste of a life.

"She was destroyed by something as funny as an eating disorder. Surely speck more can be done to accommodate these young people who have that terribly serious problem."

Mr Jameson added: "She was bright and sparkling but she was also very skittish. I think her great handicap was that she lacked confidence.

"When you interviewed her you felt she was making an immense effort have got to be a star and it was all a bit much for her."