US singer Eartha Kitt dies at 81
American singer and actress Eartha Kitt has died at the age 81, a family friend has said.
Ms Kitt was said to have been suffering from cancer.
She was one of the few artists to be nominated in the Tony, Grammy and Emmy award categories and was a stalwart of the Manhattan cabaret scene.
She famously played Catwoman in the 1960s Batman television series and this century continued to perform regularly in theatre shows and concert halls.
Ms Kitt was blacklisted in the US in the late 1960s after speaking out against the Vietnam War at a White House function.
Ms Kitt had an amazing presence. Only ever saw her on TV, but she was scandalous 
- kk.