Frankie Vaughan

But he was also a matinee idol and appeared in the 1960 film Let's Make Love with screen goddess Monroe who made it obvious that she wanted the film's title to become reality.

Frankie, the crowd-puller who used to charm and flirt with women who flocked to hear him sing, later said that Marilyn's seduction was always doomed to failure - because he loved his wife Stella. He once said: ''I have

flirted with women, particularly when I'm doing my act, but I never stop telling my wife that I love her the most of all.

''I wake her up every morning with a kiss, a cup of tea, and a biscuit. She's the greatest pleasure in my life.''

He was born Frank Abelson in his Russian grandmother's house in Liverpool on February 3, 1928. In a heavy Russian accent she also used to describe Frankie, her first grandchild, as ''My number vorn'' - the origin of his stage name.

He turned to showbusiness only after a short career as a commercial artist after leaving Leeds College Of Art.

Vaughan had been complimented on his powerful voice when performing at a college rag show. After losing his first artist's job after just a week - as a stand designer at Earl's Court - he decided to audition as a singer, landing a week-long run at the Kingston Empire music hall, and never looked back.

He soon made a name for himself on the UK variety circuit and later had a string of chart hits, including Green Door and Kisses Sweeter Than Wine. However, Give Me the Moonlight, the trademark song without which a Vaughan performance would never be complete, never provided him with a hit.

He went on to top the bill at every major British theatre and became the first British singer to star in Las Vegas. He broke house records in cabaret at New York's Copacabana. Vaughan notched up two number one hits, Tower Of Strength and Garden Of Eden.

In the late fifties he also developed a successful movie career, starring first with Arthur Askey in the comedy Ramsbottom Rides Again, then in an acclaimed straight role in These Dangerous Years.

In Heart Of Man he appeared with fellow crooner Anthony Newley and for It's All Over Town he was joined by some of the biggest pop acts of the day such as The Bachelors, The Springfields, and The Hollies.

By the early sixties he had successfully taken his act across the Atlantic with work in nightclubs and on television. It was during his second Vegas stint that he was chosen to star with Monroe and Yves Montand. However he was disaffected with Hollywood and he shrugged off a film career in the US.

He last graced the UK singles charts in February 1968, but away from the hit parade he continued to perform and work the theatrical circuit, and was frequently a guest on TV specials.

In 1985 he was chosen, to the surprise of many, to star in a West End version of the musical 42nd Street. But after a year in the role, it had begun to take a toll on his health. In late 1986 he almost died of peritonitis - an inflammation of the abdomen - after he failed to seek medical help because he wanted to continue with his stage show. Vaughan recovered but in October 1992 his health was again under threat when he had to undergo emergency surgery for a ruptured artery.

He had long campaigned for young people's charities - famously assigning record royalties to the National Association of Boys' Clubs - and was recognised with an OBE in 1965. A further honour came in 1993 when the Queen appointed him as the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire.

His fundraising work for children - which he described as ''an investment in the future'' - was rewarded again with a CBE in 1997.

Despite a hectic schedule he remained a devoted family man and leaves a wife, Stella, his partner for 47 years, and children, David, Susan, and Andrew.