Lena Zavaroni: The tragic life of a forgotten talent show star

In an interview for the programme, still battling anorexia and depression, she spoke of keeping faith that better days would come.

“There is always hope at any time of life, and I think you’ve just got to think that, whether you feel it or not,” she said.

Just six years later, in 1999, it was that hope of having better health and returning to her singing career, which led Lena to undergo brain surgery she hoped would cure her.

Dad Victor, after visiting her in hospital, thought the operation may have worked.

“I honestly think when I went to see her, she was starting to eat , I honestly do, but I’ll never know,” he said.

Lena died of pneumonia after the operation. She was 35.

Looking back on recordings of Lena singing for the documentary, Victor watches and listens closely to a TV performance by his 18-year-old daughter.

She is singing, standing at the microphone, elegant in a long dress, sequins twinkling under the studio lights.

She is pitch perfect. The power of her voice in contrast to her own vulnerability. Or perhaps it was because of her vulnerability, she seemed to feel every word.

“She was in a world of her own singing, there’s a lot of feeling in that,” said Victor.

“Well done, hen.”