Lena Martell, Scottish singer who had chart success, dies at 86

Lena Martell, a pioneering Scottish singer who achieved international fame and was the first Scottish female solo artist to reach number one in the UK charts, has died at the age of 86.

Martell, born Helena Thomson in Glasgow in 1940, began her performing career as a teenager after winning the UK's first televised talent show, "Find the Singer." She adopted the stage name Lena Martell, a tribute to her father and a popular brandy. Her early career saw her sign a recording contract at 16 and perform in musicals worldwide.

She gained significant recognition in the United States, notably outshining Barbra Streisand while understudying her in the Broadway production of "Funny Girl." Martell also performed alongside legendary artists such as Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. Despite her success in America and elsewhere, she retained her distinct Glasgow accent.

In 1971, Martell began hosting a Saturday night BBC television show that ran for a decade and attracted over 11 million viewers. She became a prominent figure in the easy-listening music scene of the 1970s. Her 1979 album, "Lena's Music Album," included a cover of Kris Kristofferson's "One Day at a Time," which became her signature hit and topped the UK charts. She also performed this song live with Frank Sinatra.

Despite her chart success, management deals reportedly led Martell to miss out on substantial royalties from her number one single. Her life also included periods of personal challenge. She stepped away from the limelight to care for her mother, who had Alzheimer's disease, and later faced bankruptcy in the early 1990s due to the collapse of a property company.

In 2008, Martell underwent a five-hour triple heart bypass surgery to replace her aortic valve. Reflecting on her health battles and extensive career a year after the operation, she told The Scottish Daily Mail that despite difficulties, her life had been filled with "wonderful times."

Musicians who worked with her recalled her vibrant personality and creative spirit. Dougie Stevenson, who toured with Martell, described her as "a great personality" and "great to work with, both on and off the music." He remembered her constant stream of ideas for music, plays, and sitcoms. Martell's local manager at Glasgow's Pavilion Theatre, Iain Gordon, noted her uniqueness in Scottish showbiz, stating she "kept herself to herself and did what she did best on stage, just singing the songs."

Martell sold an estimated 20 million records during her career. She passed away peacefully in a care home. She is survived by her partner, David.