The singer Dusty Springfield has died after an illness. She was 59. Her agent said she died at her home in Oxfordshire last night. She had been suffering from breast cancer. Some of her biggest hits included "Son of a Preacher Man", "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me", and "Nothing Has Been Proved", a collaboration with the Pet Shop Boys from the film, "Scandal".
Dusty Springfield was born Mary Isabel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien in north London on April 16 1939. Her first big success came in the early sixties with her brother Tom, but soon she was going solo, starting with her debut single, "I Only Want to Be With You". She clocked up 17 hits throughout the 1960's, along with a series of acclaimed albums.
Tired of publicity in Britain about her private life, she left in 1970 and lived in Los Angeles for more than 15 years. After overcoming problems with drink and drugs she returned to live in England and her duet with the pet shop boys, "What Have I Done To Deserve This" went to number two on both sides of the Atlantic.
