TRIBUTES have poured in from some of Scotland's leading entertainers following the death of Jack Alexander, one half of the famous Alexander Brothers vocal duo.

Singer Sydney Devine recalled the early years of the brothers as they grew up close to him in Lanarkshire before they found fame with their tartan act.

Mr Alexander, 77, who was originally from Cambusnethan, died at Ayrshire Hospital surrounded by his family on Saturday after suffering a stroke.

Mr Devine said: "As young boys, their father would drive them to talent shows, 'Go-as-you-pleases', around the county.

"My father ran a petrol station and, since this was the days of rationing, my father would try and help them out with fuel. I'd be competing as well in the talent shows and sometimes they won, sometimes I won.

"But you could always tell they had what it took to build a great career."

Jack and his 79-year-old brother Tom started their ­professional career at Webster Theatre in Arbroath in 1958.

Mr Devine added: "Amazingly, I only worked with them once, and that was in Belfast, but we stayed friends throughout our lives.

"And just before I took off to holiday in Spain this year, I visited Jack. He could still play piano incredibly well.

"Another star has disappeared from Scottish showbiz and I'm really sad for Tom and Jack's family."

Comedian Andy Cameron described the brothers as "Scots icons."

Mr Cameron added: "What I loved about both of them was they were two real characters and I enjoyed sharing a dressing room with them many times over the years.

"They argued, as brothers do, but nothing serious, and they kidded each other on.

"I remember once, when we were playing the Ayr Gaiety, and Tom, who was partially deaf, had just ordered a state-of-the-art hearing aid from Germany. In rehearsals, Jack was on stage practising Nobody's Child, on his own, when Tom walked on, having just switched on his new hearing aid.

"Jack said to Tom, 'How's the new hearing aid?' And Tom replied, 'It's brilliant. I've been working with you for 25 years and I've just realised your singing is ******* rotten!"

Writer-performer Fiona Kennedy, daughter of singing star Calum Kennedy, said the Alexander Brothers were "true gentlemen and so lovely and warm."

Iain Gordon, manager of the Pavilion Theatre in Glasgow, said of the Brothers: "They were so hard to get into the theatre because of their touring commitments, but when they did appear, to headline the likes of The Magic of Scotland shows, they were incredible."

Comedy legend Stanley Baxter, who toured North America with the Alexander Brothers back in the mid-60s, said the loss of Jack Alexander marked "the end of an era".