BBC Arts Correspondent Nick Higham remembers a star who couldn't stop suing and was bankrupted by lawyers' bills (2'46")

Singing star Dorothy Squires, the former wife of the actor Roger Moore, has died at the age of 83.

Her death was confirmed by her close friend, Michael Thornton, who said that she passed away in the early hours of Tuesday morning, after losing her fight against cancer.

He said that her ex-husband, former OO7 star Roger Moore, has been told of her death at Llwynypia Hospital in the Rhondda in South Wales.

Roger Moore telephoned the hospital shortly before her death

Mr Thornton said she died peacefully, and at peace with the world. He said that the former singing star "knew she was dying, but never lost her fighting spirit or extraordinary courage."

Ms Squires was the daughter of a steel-worker from Wales and found fame in the 1940s when she toured the music halls of the UK. She sold millions of records over her 30-year career.

She married her second husband Roger Moore and went to live in Hollywood but they divorced after nine years when Moore deserted her for a younger woman.

Ms Squires was a star of radio and variety during the 1940s and 50s

Ms Squires was a constant litigant and sued for libel on a number of occasions losing her a great deal of the millions she had earned during her singing career.

From humble beginnings she rose to be one of the most well-known stars of her generation. According to friends, despite losing her fortune, she kept a sense of humour and a ready wit.

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