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Tributes have been flooding in for a "great entertainer" and “wonderful” mainstay of Jersey’s stages in the 1980s after she recently passed away.
Diane Cousins, who died aged 73 on 23 August, was known for her performances at fondly remembered venues such as Caesar’s Palace, specialising in singing, cabaret and delivering laughs.
Pictured: As well as her famed cruise shows, Diane Cousins performed in Jersey frequently. (Jersey Archive)
According to Diane's former website, the popular comedienne came from "humble beginnings as the daughter of a coal miner", going on to "work in a watch factory where she got the sack for bad time keeping" - "but now this lady's timing... is faultless", the profile jokily noted.
A star of the screen as well as the stage, Diane also appeared on TV numerous times, and won numerous Variety Club Awards, as well as the prestigious Silver Heart Award twice.
The mother-of-two also ran The Ranch in Jersey, at the former Adrian's restaurant.
In later years, the "entertainer in the true sense of the word with impeccably clean humour and a powerhouse voice" continued performing, with cruise performances, which she started in the 1980s, recorded online as recently as 2019.
Video: Diane Cousins singing 'If I Never Sing Another Song' onboard Princess Cruises, in June 2019.
Joining the scores of commenters celebrating Diane's life on social media upon learning of her passing, one islander remembered her as a "great entertainer and grafter and very funny especially driving her locals home to St. Ouen's village in a minibus from The Ranch."
Others remembered her on Facebook's 'Temps Passé' group as a "charismatic entertainer" and "very well respected".
As well as others recalling her "fantastic voice" and "vibrant, hard working, talented" ways, some remembered more personally how she was "as nice behind the scenes as she was in front."
Pictured: Ms. Cousins also performed at Portelet Bay. (Jersey Archive)
Many of the "fun" memories of her revolved around Diane's cruise appearances.
One islander recalled how they “were on a cruise and by chance she was one of the entertainers on board", adding: “We have never laughed so much and had lovely chats with her and her Jersey memories."
While cherished in Jersey, Wales also claimed Diane as its "First Lady of Comedy and Song".
It was there that she retired, in the village of Coelbren, with her husband Daryl.
Her funeral is being held on Friday 24 September in Coelbren Church.
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