Tributes have been paid online following news of the death of Con Cluskey, one of the founding members of Dublin pop group The Bachelors.

The group originally formed in the late '50s under the name The Harmonichords, and played on The Ed Sullivan Show in the US, before changing their name  to The Bachelors at the beginning of the '60s. The trio – made up of Con (aka Conleth), his brother Declan Cluskey,  and John Stokes – had a major hit with 'Diane', which went to No.1 in the UK and No.10 in the US in 1964.

According to the group's website, The Bachelors managed to outsell The Beatles in 1964 and 1965.

Declan Cluskey told RTÉ News that Con passed away peacefully on Friday.

Robbie Williams' father, Pete Conway, is among those who have paid tribute, noting that he "spent many happy hours in his company over the years."

So sorry to hear of the passing of Con Cluskey of The Bachelors over the weekend. Spent many happy hours in his company over the years. (Photo with brother Dec). RIP Con🖤 pic.twitter.com/5zyI6Ex0zM

— Pete Conway (@poppapete299) April 11, 2022

See more tributes to Con Cluskey below:

I was sad to hear that Con Cluskey of The Bachelors has passed away. I worked with Con and Dec on my 21st birthday. In fact, I ended up on stage with them, but that story is for another time. RIP, Con.

— Paul Burton (@paulburton73) April 8, 2022

Another friend gone...

Happy times photobombing The Bachelor @ConCluskey at the Howard Keel Golf Classic back in the day. pic.twitter.com/9fqvhnthVX

— Jess Conrad OBE (@Jessconradcom) April 9, 2022

I've just heard we've lost yet another great performer Con Cluskey brother of Dec Cluskey of The Bachelors. A.R.C. Entertainments would like to send our condolences to all his family and may he Rest In Peace. x https://t.co/vtOyiIoNZ6

— A.R.C. Entertainments (@ARCEntsCoUk) April 10, 2022

Sad to hear of the passing of Con Cluskey. The Bachelors were an integral part of our family record collection as a kid and always loved watching their performances on TV. RIP

— Frank McGroarty (@Frank_McGroarty) April 9, 2022