Picture gallery: Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra's award of Voice of the Century by BBC Radio 2 comes as no surprise to the millions of fans who adored him.

Sinatra transformed popular sentimental songs into classics of depth and intimacy with his inimitable style and voice.

BBC News Online traces his life from dashing teen singer to the icon he became.

Sinatra in 1943: He was the first star to have girls swooning at his feet and he married four times

Ol' Blue Eyes: The son of poor Italian immigrants

Sinatra had no shortage of female admirers

Rat Pack reunion: Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr Sinatra jetted to Las Vegas, Los Angeles and New York between gigs

Sinatra collapsed and was taken to hospital during a concert in 1994

Doing it his way with Liza Minelli and Sammy Davis Jr at the Albert Hall in 1982

Sinatra raised sentimental crooning to an art form with a combination of intimacy and professionalism