The star was Craig Douglas, the singer best remembered for his 1959 hit “Only Sixteen.” His family confirmed that he died peacefully at his home on the Isle of Wight at 85 after a short illness.
Born Terence Perkins in Newport on the Isle of Wight, Douglas began life far from the spotlight. As a teenager, he worked as a milkman and farm worker before his mother encouraged him to enter a local talent contest. Winning it opened the door to music.
His manager later gave him the stage name Craig Douglas, and it soon became familiar across Britain. In 1959, he was voted Best New Singer by NME, but “Only Sixteen” was the song that made him a star.
Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, his version climbed to No. 1 on the UK charts and outsold Sam Cooke’s original in Britain. Douglas later scored nine UK Top 40 singles and became one of the familiar voices of his era.
His career stretched beyond one hit. He appeared in the 1962 film “It’s Trad, Dad!”, performed widely, and even topped the bill over the Beatles at one of their early major shows.
When his chart success faded, Douglas never completely left music behind. He continued performing in clubs, on cruise ships, and at venues around Britain, touring until 2010.
Later, he returned to a quieter life on the Isle of Wight. He never married and had no children, though he spoke in later years about wishing he had experienced fatherhood.
Now, another unmistakable voice from pop music’s golden years has gone silent. But every time “Only Sixteen” plays, memories will return — of radios, records, youth, and a singer who became part of so many lives. 💔