Tributes are pouring in for Bonnie Tyler, the husky-voiced “Total Eclipse of the Heart” singer, who has died, aged 75.News of the Welsh singer’s death was announced by her family, who said on Thursday (9 July) that she “unexpectedly passed away last night in hospital in Portugal as a result of the illness that she was being treated for”.Tyler was originally rushed to hospital on 30 April, and reports emerged that the singer had been placed in an induced coma. Shortly after, her team described her recovery as “a slow process”, but said doctors were confident she would get better. Follow all the updates belowThe secret behind Bonnie Tyler's signature voiceAfter her first hit, “Lost in France”, in 1976, Tyler developed vocal cord nodules and underwent surgery. She didn’t know if she would sing again – but when she next performed, she realised her voice had changed.“I sounded like a female Rod Stewart,” she said after discovering her new husky tones.Tyler has spoken about being insecure about her voice in the past, telling The Times in 2025 that she was “very nervous” talking between songs because of her Welsh accent.“I had some elocution lessons, but now I’m delighted that I’ve kept my accent and that Tom Jones did too,” she said.Jacob Stolworthy9 July 2026 10:50Bonnie Tyler represented UK at EurovisionThe Welsh singer represented the UK in the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest, which took place in Malmö, Sweden.She performed the song “Believe In Me” and finished in 19th place.Bonnie Tyler performing at Eurovision in 2013 (Getty)Jacob Stolworthy9 July 2026 10:46Bonnie Tyler's career – in shortBorn Gaynor Hopkins, Tyler was entered into a local talent competition by her aunt as a teenager and became inspired to pursue a career in singing.Tyler found work as a backing singer for various bands and she was scouted in 1975 and received a record deal with RCA, who recommended she change her name – she chose Bonnie Tyler, while searching through newspapers for name inspiration.She had her first hit in the with “It’s a Heartache” in 1977 – and she was booked as Tom Jones’s support act.After “Total Eclipse of the Heart” became one of her most popular singles of all time, Tyler’s fifth studio album, Faster Than The Speed of Light, debuted at No. 1 on the UK albums chart. Tyler’s work earned her three Grammy Award nominations and three Brit Award nominations. She was awarded an MBE in 2023.Her final studio album was The Best Is Yet to Come, which was released in 2021.Jacob Stolworthy9 July 2026 10:44Bonnie Tyler's voice was ‘what rock’n’roll is all about’Bonnie Tyler will be remembered for her early Eighties hits “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and “Holding Out For a Hero” – but it was her ragged, expressive vocals that made her a star, writes Kevin E G PerryJacob Stolworthy9 July 2026 10:39Bonnie Tyler's final TV interviewBonnie Tyler said she had no intention of slowing down in her last TV interview before her death, aged 75.Appearing on Lorraine in February, in her final TV interview, the singer was praised by host Lorraine Kelly for “looking fantastic”. Kelly added: “No sign of you slowing down whatsoever, Bonnie.”Tyler agreed and said that next year she thought she may take a step back, though “I keep being asked to do shows”.Jacob Stolworthy9 July 2026 10:37'Total Eclipse of the Heart'Among Tyler’s best- known songs was the epic power ballad “Total Eclipse of the Heart”, released in 1983.The song was the singer’s biggest hit and led to her receiving a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.Tyler herself believed the song – clocking in at longer than seven minutes – was too lengthy for radio, and backed an edited version, which lasted four minutes.She once described the song as "a challenge” to sing, and took pride in her performance as she “doesn’t like songs that anybody can sing”.(YouTube)Jacob Stolworthy9 July 2026 10:35Bonnie Tyler had been in hospital for months before 'unexpected' deathThe singer was rushed to hospital on 30 April for an undisclosed illness. She had emergency surgery and was placed in an induced coma.Tyler remained in hospital while doctors aided her recovery – however, she died “unexpectedly” on Wednesday (8 July). Her family and team have said they are “hearbroken”.Jacob Stolworthy9 July 2026 10:27Jacob Stolworthy9 July 2026 10:25