Former hit folk singer and restaurateur Tony Gauci, better known as Il-Kampanjol, passed away yesterday aged 64.

Mr Gauci took his nickname from his successful song Qalb Ta' Kampanjol, (Heart of a Peasant), a hit on the music scene written by Alfred C. Sant. Other singles by Mr Gauci included Qatt Ma Kont Daqshekk Ferħan, (I Was Never So Happy) Żgur, Żgur, Żgur (Sure, Sure, Sure) and Il-Kalendarju (The Calendar).

He also used to own a restaurant, called Il-Kampanjol, in Qajjenza, Birżebbuġa.

Labour Party spokesmen Evarist Bartolo and Owen Bonnici paid tribute to Mr Gauci.

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