One of British television’s earliest songstresses who lived in Carshalton and Wallington across several decades has died at the age of 101.

Helen Riddle, who became a household name when her performances were broadcasted to millions during the Second World War, passed away on September 15.

She was dubbed a “child wonder” at a young age and sang in front of celebrities and royalty during her early years at five-star luxury hotel The Dorchester in London.

Despite later suffering a heart problem, she used her talents to teach others and continued to perform publicly until she was 90.

Her daughter Elizabeth Hopkins said: “The biggest thing about my mother - well, several - was that she had the brightest spirit and zest for life of anyone I've ever come across.

“That remained right up to the end. She would've happily carried on, she never felt she'd had enough or anything.

“She was a very beautiful woman all her life, she had an amazing talent with her singing, and had the most beautiful voice.

“She made a big impact on everyone and it's incredibly sad that she's gone but we're just so grateful that she was this fabulous woman and had such a wonderful life.”

Mrs Riddle was born in Bradford, west Yorkshire, at the height of the First World War in November 1916 before moving to Australia aged just four.

It was there she quickly gained popularity, touring concert halls, pantomimes, and theatres in the cities of Melbourne, Perth and Sydney during the 1920s.

But the Wall Street Crash of 1929, which had major consequences for the Australian economy at the time, forced her to move back to Yorkshire “with nothing”.

Mrs Riddle, who went by the stage name Helen Clare, later performed in her brother Tom’s dance band in Bradford where she gained fame as well.

The ensuing critical acclaim she received saw her head to London and successfully audition to perform at The Dorchester, singing in front of celebrities and royalty during the 1930s.

Mrs Riddle, then 23, joined the BBC at the outbreak of the Second World War, spending “many sleepless nights” broadcasting through air raids in basement studios.

Her singing was shown to millions across the country in aerodomes, military bases, and naval ports in what she considered one of the most rewarding times in her career.

Throughout the 1940s, Mrs Riddle found herself regularly starring for the BBC in their shows while also getting married to violinist Frederick Riddle OBE in 1946.

Her heart problem suffered in 1960 forced her to slow down but made her turn her attention to teaching.

Alongside her tutorship she joined the Wallington Operatic and Dramatic Society before celebrating her 100th birthday in November 2016, getting invited back to The Dorchester.

She lived in Wallington, from 1952 until 1987 when she moved to the Isle of Wight, and then in Carshalton from 1995 to 2011.

Later she returned to Wallington to live in sheltered accommodation from then onwards.

Mrs Riddle is survived by her daughter, Mrs Hopkins, her granddaughter Amanda, and her three great grandchildren – Nathan, Jeremy, and Bram.