Renato, the voice of Wall's ice cream, dies aged 69

Published on Friday 7 August 2009 00:30

THE male half of 1980s singing duo Renee and Renato has died.

Renato Pagliari, 69, who reached No.1 in 1982 charts with the catchy ballad Save Your Love, died in a West Midlands hospital last Wednesday after having surgery for a brain tumour.

The former Italian waiter, who lived in Sutton Coldfield, also provided the voice for the popular Walls ice-cream TV advert ditty, Just One Cornetto.

Together with Renee – real name Hilary Lester – he spent four weeks at No 1 over Christmas 1982 with Save Your Love.

His son Remo, 33, who also lives in Sutton Coldfield, said: "My dad was just one of those people that everybody loved.

"He had two great passions, his family and performing. He was a born performer and a devoted family man. He lived for his grandchildren and he looked after all of us.

"Even in the hospital he was singing to the other patients in the ward. He was happiest when he was performing and when the grandchildren were around him."

Pagliari was born in Rome but settled in the West Midlands as a young man.

He entered the TV talent show New Faces in 1975 and his tenor voice caught the attention of songwriter Johnny Edward, who had written Save Your Love.

After hitting No.1 Renee and Renato released follow-up singles Just One More Kiss and Jesus Loves Us All but they did not repeat their original success.

Pagliari continued performing and worked as a cruise-ship singer.

He also sang regularly at his son's restaurant in Tamworth,

Pagliari is survived by his wife Maureen, son Remo, daughter Amanda, and three grandsons.

His funeral will take place on Monday in Sutton Coldfield.