The singer-songwriter became an unexpected chart star in 1968 when his self-penned single Rosie reached number four in the UK singles chart, while the follow-up Blue Eyes that same year peaked at number three.

Prior to his brief period of chart success, Partridge, who was born in Bournemouth in 1941, travelled around Europe with his guitar to busk on street corners.

He was signed in 1967 to EMI's Columbia label by Don Paul, a former member of rock 'n' roll ...