Tributes have been paid to legendary singer, Tina Turner, following her death - but the sad news has brought back to the fore the story of how a Largs man penned one of her most famous songs.

Tina's spokesman recently confirmed she died 'peacefully' at home at the age of 83 and continued: "With her, the world loses a music legend and a role model. With her music and her inexhaustible vitality, Tina Turner thrilled millions of fans and inspired many artists of subsequent generations.”

Her official Instagram added: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tina Turner. With her music and her boundless passion for life, she enchanted millions of fans around the world and inspired the stars of tomorrow.

"Today we say goodbye to a dear friend who leaves us all her greatest work: her music. All our heartfelt compassion goes out to her family. Tina, we will miss you dearly."

Largs man Graham Lyle, 79, one half of popular songwriting duo Gallagher and Lyle, penned the massive Tina Turner hit ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It' after his partnership with fellow Largs man Benny Gallagher ended in 1980.

Largs and Millport Weekly News: Graham Lyle co-wrote one of Tina Turner's best known hitsGraham Lyle co-wrote one of Tina Turner's best known hits (Image: Newsquest)

The classic song was inducted into the Grammys’ Hall of Fame in Los Angeles, making it the third single by Tina Turner to be inducted after ‘River Deep, Mountain High’ and ‘Proud Mary’.

Making the number one spot in America and number three in the UK, ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’ marked Turner’s comeback in 1984 and was her biggest hit since the '70s, later becoming the title of her biopic.

The song made Rolling Stone magazine’s list of ‘The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time’, and received three prizes at the 1985 Grammy Awards - Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

It was originally co-written by Graham and pal Terry Britten for Sir Cliff Richard, but was rejected by his advisers, before being offered to British pop group Bucks Fizz who recorded it, but did not release it.

However, the gifted Largs songwriter insisted that he always wanted Turner to record it, and said in a News interview in 2012: "We sent the demo to the publishers and got at least four people wanting to record it. Tina was one of them. We were given the opportunity as the writers to say which artist we wanted to record it.

“I wanted Tina to do it. She was one of the greats, though she was having a tough time and didn’t even have a record deal.” 

And at the height of her fame in 1987, Tina performed in front of more than 10,000 fans as she raise the roof at the SECC in a show packed with hits and costume changes galore.

“For more than two hours she danced like a teenager and sang her great big heart out,” said the reviewer.

“During her fast-paced set, the 47-year-old shouter dripped with sweat and treated the capacity crowd to highlights of a career that has spanned 20 years and taken her from the top to the bottom and back up again."

“She has emerged triumphant as one of the greatest rock performers in the world.”