Legendary singer Guy Hovis has died aged 86 following a battle with illness in hospital. A familiar face on the iconic variety programme The Lawrence Welk Show, Hovis enjoyed a remarkable career spanning 15 albums and even performed at President George W. Bush's inauguration.
Alongside his former wife Ralna English, the duo created music together and featured on Welk's programme as the singing partnership known as 'Guy & Ralna'. His daughter Julie broke the sad news, revealing her father died peacefully on Thursday in Oxford, Mississippi.
Julie explained her father had been hospitalised with an undisclosed ongoing illness over recent weeks. Hovis' former wife Ralna English shared the heartbreaking update with her Facebook followers, explaining he 'took a turn for the worse' after spending weeks in hospital.
"As it has for me, this will come as a shock to many of you," she wrote. "Guy has been in the hospital for several weeks. I spoke briefly with him on Monday and was deeply concerned. He took a turn for the worse and it hurts me to tell you, but he died peacefully last night."
English and Hovis share a daughter together, and despite their separation, the pair maintained a close friendship. Hovis later married Sarah "Sis" Lundy, and the couple have three children and five grandchildren between them.
Among Hovis' achievements are production and vocal nominations from the Gospel Music Association, plus performing 'Let the Eagle Soar' at George W. Bush's 2005 inauguration ceremony. Fans shared their condolences on social media, remembering him fondly from The Lawrence Welk Show.
