Sir Mick Jagger has expressed his sorrow at the death of Cleo Sylvestre, who he described as “the first female vocalist to sing with the Stones”. Sylvestre, also known as Cleopatra Palmer, died at the age of 79 on Friday morning, according to a statement from Fulcrum Talent.
The actress and singer was a familiar face on stage and screen since the 1960s, known for roles in ITV’s Crossroads and for singing with the Rolling Stones backing her on a cover of To Know Him Is To Love Him in 1964. Sir Mick, 81, shared a black-and-white photo of the band with Sylvestre on Instagram, writing: “So sad to hear of the passing of my old friend.”
Sylvestre’s career spanned theatre, film, and television. She made her debut with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) last year in As You Like It, and her screen credits included Paddington, Doctor Who, Coronation Street, and the recent ITV thriller Platform 7. In 2023, she was appointed MBE for services to drama and charity.
Tributes have poured in from colleagues and friends. The RSC said they were “saddened” by her death, while playwright Bonnie Greer called her “one of the reasons… that this country has the best anglophone theatre”. Dame Elizabeth Anionwu, the UK’s first sickle cell nurse specialist, said she was “devastated”, recalling Sylvestre’s support for the Mary Seacole Statue Appeal.
A statement from Fulcrum Talent said: “Much loved and admired by her peers, she will be remembered as a trailblazer and a true friend. She will be sorely missed by so many.” The family has requested privacy at this difficult time.
