Singer of 'Beauty and the Beast’ and other Disney hits Peabo Bryson has died

Peabo Bryson, the R&B singer best known for his duet with Celine Dion on the Disney hits 'A Brand New World’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast’ has died.

No cause of death was cited but his family announced on Sunday that he had suffered a stroke.

Bryson came up in the 1970s as a member of Moses Dillard and the Tex-Town Display. He signed for Bang Records in 1976 and released his first solo album Reaching for the Sky in 1978.

He recorded an album of duets with Roberta Flack, Born to Love, in 1983, and over the following years scored hits with Angela Bofill and a string of duets with Regina Belle and Celine Dion.

He achieved his first top-10 hit in 1984 with 'If Ever You’re in My Arms Again' and followed with 'Show and Tell' and 'Can You Stop the Rain'.

Celine Dion who duetted with Bryson for Disney's ‘Beauty and the Beast’ has said she is “heartbroken” following the singer's death.

“I’m heartbroken to hear that we lost Peabo Bryson today,” she said on a post on Instagram. “His incredible voice and his kind spirit embodied the beauty of song and performance."

“He made me so comfortable, as I was just learning to sing in English. He will remain for me always as a real symbol of joy that music has brought to my life. His voice and talent will be missed.

"My heart is with your family, and may you rest in peace Peabo. Love, Celine xx."