The singer, who had a hit in the 1970s with You're A Lady, died following a battle with brain cancer
Steve White-do-not-use and Francesca Gosling
13:50, 17 Feb 2017Updated 15:01, 17 Feb 2017
Pop singer Peter Skellern had wanted to become a priest since he was nine(Image: Getty)
Former pop star Peter Skellern has died aged 69, his family have announced.
The singer, who had a hit in the 1970s with You're A Lady, died today following a battle with brain cancer.
His family said: "Peter's creativity in art, comedy and music stand as his legacy to love and laughter.
"The love he brought to us will continue to be shared with everyone through his music.
"We will miss him with all our hearts."
Skellern was ordained as a priest and a deacon on the same day last year after being given special dispensation by the Archbishop of Canterbury , Justin Welby.
The Bishop of Truro ordained Peter Skellern, left, while he was dying of brain cancer(Image: PA)
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Two-and-half-years ago he was put forward for ordination training, and then diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.
Skeller, a father of two, said of his diagnosis: “For about a week I hung in this abyss and I just grabbed God. I was given a year to live and everything fell, apart from my belief in God.
“Then God closed the ground beneath me and I became resigned and happy and I have been like that ever since.”
The Right Reverend Tim Thornton, Bishop of Truro, who suggested Skellern carried on with his training, ordained him at St Wyllows church in Lanteglos-by-Fowey, Cornwall, where Skellern lives.
Skellern found fame in the 70s with You're A Lady(Image: )
More than 120 friends and family members, including his wife, Diana, attended.
Afterwards, Skellern, who sang the theme song to the 70s’ TV series Billy Liar, said: “It is very unusual for someone to be ordained as a deacon and a priest at the same time.
"I was amazed Bishop Tim suggested it. It was just staggering for me.
“On the day I just felt wonderful. People had come from all over – my friends from London, from Cornwall,” he said.
Skellern also wrote the lyrics for the tune One More Kiss, Dear, from the 1982 film Blade Runner.