Swiss burial for Robert Palmer

Palmer died in Paris while taking a break with his partner

Singer Robert Palmer is to be buried in his adopted Swiss hometown of Lugano, his manager has said.

Palmer - best known for hits Addicted to Love, Some Guys Have All the Luck and Didn't Mean to Turn You On - died of a heart attack in a hotel in Paris aged 54.

He had been in the French capital on a two-day break with partner Mary Ambrose, after recording a TV appearance in the UK.

His manager, Nick Cater, said he suffered the heart attack in the early hours of Friday morning.

The French authorities have released the body of the star, who was born in Batley, Yorkshire - and it will now be taken back to Switzerland.

Recent check-up

A post mortem examination was carried out on Friday, but the cause of death has not been released, Mr Cater said.

"The cause of death is not on the certificate, but we will be told early next week," he said.

"We have no reason to believe he died from anything other than a massive heart attack.

He was something really rare in the music industry - he was an absolute gent Ex-publicist Suzanne Parkes More tributes Send your thoughts

"Robert had no history of heart problems. Only two weeks ago he had a medical check-up which gave him a clean bill of health."

Palmer's parents, Les and Ann, and his daughter Jane, 22, have travelled to Switzerland to organise his funeral.

"Robert lived in Switzerland for the last 15 years, and that is where he wanted to be," said Mr Cater.

"He said it was the first home he ever had."

The Yorkshire-born singer had recently been on tour of Europe to promote his latest album Drive.

Palmer had been performing since the early 1970s, playing in bands including Mandrake Paddle Steamer and Dada, featuring Elkie Brooks.

He then went on to front Vinegar Joe, also with Brooks, releasing three albums with the band before launching his solo career.

Famous video

He was also a member of 1980s supergroup Power Station, which also included members of Duran Duran.

Known for his sharp dress sense, his solo album Riptide produced the top five hit Addicted to Love, which was backed with one of rock music's most famous videos.

It featured Palmer backed by a band featuring identically-dressed woman, who were also made up to look the same.

But after scoring hits with She Makes My Day and Mercy Mercy Me he turned he returned to his rhythm and blues roots.

His Ridin' High album in 1992 was a mix of genres from Tin Pan Alley and cabaret classics.