Tony Rivers, who was best known for fronting Tony Rivers and the Castaways and performing the theme song for Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads? has died at the age of 85
15:19, 01 Apr 2026Updated 16:29, 01 Apr 2026
Tony Rivers has died at the age of 85(Image: Alamy)
Tony Rivers has died at the age of 85. The singer was best known for fronting Tony Rivers and the Castaways and singing the theme tune for hit BBC sitcom Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? He passed away on Wednesday, two months after he fell ill with sepsis.
The music star, who also headed up Harmony Grass and performed their single Move a Little Closer, was good friends with fellow musician Cliff Richard, who led the tributes.
He wrote: “Tony Rivers has passed on, leaving me shocked and upset at losing yet another talented friend. He featured on many of my albums and tours, creating backing vocals that lifted my tracks into what I could only have dreamed of. He was the “Master” of harmonies. God Bless you Tony, I shall miss you greatly. Rest in Peace, Cliff.”
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Tony also headed up the group Harmony Grass and they became known for their hit single Move In A Little Closer, Baby(Image: Popperfoto via Getty Images)
The star, who was born Anthony Thompson was born in Shildon and took guitar lessons as a teenager, having been inspired by 1950s teen idol Buddy Holly.
After singing at a holiday camp, he founded The Cutaways, which was later renamed Tony Rivers and the Castaways and some of their best known songs include God Only Knows and Girl Don’t Tell Me, which was originally a hit for The Beach Boys.
Tony also turned his attention to a solo career after group success, and worked with major stars like Jonny Rotten, Elton John and Pjnk Floyd throughout his career.
Tony also turned his attention to a solo career after group success, and worked with major stars like Jonny Rotten, Elton John and Pjnk Floyd throughout his career(Image: Popperfoto via Getty Images)
As part of Tony Rivers and the Castaways, he enjoyed success with hits like Girl Don’t Tell Me and Life’s Too Short (Image: Alamy Stock Photo)
Tributes soon flooded social media, with one fan writing: “A great loss to music . Great vocalist in both his own groups and with Cliff . Did a lot of session work and his own recordings.
“Our group the Shakanes were second on the bill to the Castaways in Brentwood many moons ago . I think I have virtually all his recordings ……will treasure them and his book.”
Another wrote: “Great loss ,saw him many times with Castaways, and later with Cliff. Great harmony singer and arranger will be missed.RIP Tony and thanks for the great music.”
A third said: “Great loss ,saw him many times with Castaways, and later with Cliff. Great harmony singer and arranger will be missed.RIP Tony and thanks for the great music,” and a fourth wrote: “So Sorry Cliff that you Have Lost Another Good Friend. That was Such A Beautiful Tribute Cliff. Rest in peace Tony . My condolences To His Family. Xx”
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