Margarita Pracatan: Singer known for appearances on The Clive James Show dies aged 89

The singer Margarita Pracatan, best known for her appearances on The Clive James Show, has died at the age of 89.

Her daughter Maria Gorshin told Sky News her mother died from heart failure in New York on Tuesday.

The Cuban singer found success when she was booked to appear on the The Clive James Show in the 1990s.

She also appeared frequently on the BBC Night Network and BBC Radio 2.

Pracatan was also the leader of the parade at Manchester Pride in 2012 which celebrated the city's LGBT community.

More recently she appeared in The Real Housewives Of New York City reality TV show in 2019.

Ms Gorshin told Sky News: "My mum was a powerhouse. She had her own life force that was so electrifying. I think anyone who has ever met her feels it, and her loss just feels like a huge hole.

"She was absolutely in love with life and everything about it. She was passionate about music and all things beautiful and exciting. She celebrated every single day of her life."

Pracatan had tweeted a video of herself singing on 12 June in which she looked happy and healthy.

She wrote in an accompanying message: "Canta y no llores - be happy! Why? It's good for your heart and your espirit!! #joy #loveyourlife #EnjoyingEverydayLife."

BBC Radio 3 presenter Matthew Sweet wrote on Twitter: "Sorry to hear of the death of Margarita Pracatan, social media star before social media.

"We got her live on @BBCRadio3 once, to the faint annoyance of Clive James.

"In 2017 I saw her live in Catford & was delighted to discover she still considered the right notes unnecessary."

Pracatan was born in Cuba before her family fled to the USA during the communist revolution in her home country.

She went on to live in New York City where she owned the same apartment for five decades up until her death.