Whistling star Roger Whittaker dies at 87

FOLK singer Roger Whittaker, famous for his 1969 hit song Durham Town and expert whistling, has died aged 87.

- Tara Fair

The Last Farewell and New World In The Morning star sold nearly 60 million records around the world and was able to sing in several languages.

After starting in folk clubs, he went on to success with the Skye Boat Song, a duet with Des O'Connor in 1986.

He was born in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1936, although his parents were from Staffordshire.

Whittaker studied medicine after doing national service in Kenya and started singing in clubs while getting his degree.

But he left his medical course after 18 months and went in to teaching, moving to the University of Bangor in Wales in 1959 to get qualified.