Clodagh Rodgers (March 5, 1947 – April 18, 2025) was a renowned Northern Irish singer and actress, widely recognized for her pop hits in the late 1960s and early 1970s. She gained fame with songs like “Come Back and Shake Me,” “Goodnight Midnight,” and “Jack in the Box,” and notably represented the United Kingdom in the 1971 Eurovision Song Contest, where she achieved a respectable fourth-place finish.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Clodagh Rodgers |
| Date of Birth | 5 March 1947 |
| Place of Birth | Warrenpoint, County Down, Northern Ireland |
| Nationality | Northern Irish / British |
| Children | Yes (including a son from first marriage) |
| Date of Death | 18 April 2025 |
Early Life and Education
Born in Warrenpoint, County Down, Northern Ireland, on March 5, 1947, Clodagh Rodgers began her singing career at just 13 years old, performing as an opening act for Michael Holliday.
Her father, who promoted dancehall events, helped her secure her first recording contract with Decca Records in 1962. That same year, she made her television debut on the BBC’s Adam Faith Show.
Although her initial singles with Decca and later Columbia Records did not chart, she gained valuable experience through TV appearances and roles in musical films such as Just for Fun (1963) and It’s All Over Town (1964).
Career
Clodagh’s breakthrough came after marrying John Morris, who became her manager. With his guidance and producer Kenny Young’s support, she signed with RCA Records in 1968.
Her 1969 singles “Come Back and Shake Me” and “Goodnight Midnight” both reached the UK Top 5, making her the top-selling female singles artist in the UK that year.
She also earned a reputation for her striking stage presence, famously insuring her voice for one million pounds. Other notable hits included “Biljo” and “Everybody Go Home, The Party’s Over,” and she released the album Midnight Clodagh in 1969.
In 1971, Rodgers represented the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin with “Jack in the Box,” finishing in fourth place despite facing threats due to the political unrest in Northern Ireland at the time. The song became a UK Top 10 hit.
Following Eurovision, she was a frequent guest on popular TV shows such as The Morecambe and Wise Show and The Two Ronnies, and hosted her own Irish television program, The Clodagh Rodgers Show. She also appeared in West End musicals and later acted in television dramas including The Bill.
Throughout the 1970s, she transitioned from recording to television and live cabaret performances. She also became known as the face of Bisto gravy in a series of TV commercials. In the 1980s, Rodgers focused more on family life but continued to release music and make occasional TV appearances.
Personal Life
Clodagh Rodgers was married twice. Her first marriage was to John Morris, who managed her career during her peak years. She later married guitarist Ian Sorbie, with whom she ran a restaurant business in Paignton. Unfortunately, the business failed, leading to bankruptcy. Ian Sorbie passed away in 1995. Rodgers had children, including a son from her first marriage.
Death
Clodagh Rodgers died on April 18, 2025, in Cobham, Surrey, England, at the age of 78 after a prolonged illness.
Clodagh Rodgers is remembered as a trailblazing Northern Irish pop singer who enjoyed considerable chart success and television fame, courageously representing the UK during a turbulent political era and leaving an enduring mark on British popular culture.
