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Craig Douglas, British pop singer, dies at 85
British pop singer Craig Douglas, born Terence Perkins, has died at the age of 85. His family announced that he passed away peacefully at his home on the Isle of Wight following a brief illness.
Douglas rose to prominence in the late 1950s and early 1960s, earning the nickname ‘the singing milkman’ because he worked as a milkman before his music career. Managed by Bunny Lewis, he became a significant figure in the pre-Beatles era of British pop, achieving several hits on the UK charts. His most notable success was a cover of Sam Cooke’s ‘Only Sixteen’, which reached number one in the United Kingdom.
Throughout his career, Douglas recorded numerous versions of American hits and was recognized by NME as Best New Singer in 1959. He later appeared in the film ‘It’s Trad, Dad!’ and performed as a supporting act for Little Richard in 1962. Douglas never married and had no children.
Entities
Bunny Lewis · Craig Douglas · Isle of Wight · Sam Cooke · Terence Perkins
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] NME named him Best New Singer in 1959. www.levante-emv.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] He died on Friday, September 4, 2026. tn.nova.cz
- [● 3 SOURCES] Craig Douglas passed away peacefully at home following a brief illness. cnn.iprima.cz · www.levante-emv.com · tn.nova.cz
- [● 3 SOURCES] Douglas died at the age of 85. cnn.iprima.cz · www.levante-emv.com · tn.nova.cz
- [● 3 SOURCES] Douglas was born Terence Perkins in Newport. cnn.iprima.cz · www.levante-emv.com · tn.nova.cz
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Douglas achieved nine Top 40 hits in the United Kingdom. cnn.iprima.cz
- [● 3 SOURCES] He was known by the nickname 'the singing milkman' due to his previous profession. cnn.iprima.cz · www.levante-emv.com · tn.nova.cz
- [● 3 SOURCES] His version of 'Only Sixteen' reached number one on the British charts. cnn.iprima.cz · www.levante-emv.com · tn.nova.cz