Veteran Actress and Singer Cleo Sylvestre Passes Away at 79

Sir Mick Jagger has expressed his sorrow over the passing of Cleo Sylvestre, describing her as “the first female vocalist to sing with the Stones.” Sylvestre, also known as Cleopatra Palmer, passed away at the age of 79 on Friday morning, as confirmed by Fulcrum Talent. Her career spanned decades in film, stage, television, and music, beginning in the 1960s.

Sylvestre gained notoriety for her role as Melanie Harper, the adopted daughter of Meg Richardson, in ITV’s “Crossroads.” In 1964, she recorded as Cleo with the Rolling Stones accompanying her on a cover of “To Know Him Is To Love Him.” Sir Mick Jagger, lead singer of the Rolling Stones, reminisced about their time together, sharing a black-and-white photo of Sylvestre with the band on his Instagram story.

In an interview with Masterpiece PBS, Sylvestre recalled the frequent visits of the Rolling Stones to her home, where her mother cooked for the band members. “The Stones were always round, especially Brian [Jones] and Mick [Jagger],” she explained, highlighting the warm hospitality of her household.

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) also paid tribute, acknowledging Sylvestre’s performance as Audrey in their production of “As You Like It” last year. “We’re saddened to hear of the death of Cleo Sylvestre,” read their statement on social media, emphasizing her contributions to the theater community.

Notable playwright and author Bonnie Greer praised Sylvestre’s impact on English theater, citing her as a reason she believed Britain had the best anglophone theater and was a supportive environment for Black women. Dame Elizabeth Anionwu, the UK’s first sickle cell nurse specialist, expressed her devastation at the loss of her “wonderful, kind friend,” noting Sylvestre’s support for the Mary Seacole Statue Appeal.

Sylvestre was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2023 at Buckingham Palace for her services to drama and charity. Her recent roles included appearances in ITV’s “Platform 7” and Channel 5’s rendition of “All Creatures Great And Small.”

Her extensive career featured roles in “Paddington” (2014), “The Punk” (1993), and numerous television shows, including “The Bill,” “New Tricks,” “Till Death Us Do Part,” “Grange Hill,” “Doctor Who,” and “Coronation Street.” Her theatrics extended to performances at the National Theatre and Wyndham’s Theatre, enriching the cultural landscape she was a part of.