Lena Zavaroni's father has said he hopes she will become better known for her  "great talent".

Victor Zavaroni shared emotional recollections of his daughter's life for a compelling new documentary charting the life of the child-star with the big voice from the Isle of Bute who captured the nation’s heart.

He recalls the moment a doctor told him that he suspected Lena had anorexia.

The 84-year-old said he was shocked at her appearance when she returned home for a holiday at the height of her singing career.

"I noticed she was very, very thin," said Mr Zavaroni.

Lena Zavaroni died at the age of 35 in 1999Lena Zavaroni died at the age of 35 in 1999 (Image: Evening Standard) "She shouldn’t be as thin as that so I took her to the doctor. He says to me ‘your daughter has got anorexia nervosa’.

"I’d never heard the word ‘anorexia’ that’s for sure.”

Millions of viewers tuned into TV talent show Opportunity Knocks one Monday night in 1974 to watch 9-year-old Lena from Rothesay steal the show.

Lena performing on a German TV show Lena performing on a German TV show (Image: ARTCO-Berlin/ullstein bild via Getty Images)

It would prove to be a springboard for success, leading to performances on Top of the Pops and the Royal Variety Show, a chart-topping debut album, sharing a stage with Frank Sinatra, performing for the US President and an embarking on a world tour.

However, for Lena, fame came at a heavy price and her light was dimmed by her battle with anorexia as the pressures of fame took their toll.

She died in 1999 at the age of 35.

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The voice of Lena is spoken by actress Erin Armstrong who recently played the star in the acclaimed musical theatre production about her life.

Lena’s words are quoted from real interviews over the course of her career.

 “There’s a lot of young people don’t know Lena but I’d like her to be remembered really because she had a great talent," said her father.

Lena performing with Bonnie Langford at the London Palladium Lena performing with Bonnie Langford at the London Palladium (Image: PA) This poignant one-off documentary also features insights from her cousin Margaret Zavaroni, record producer Tommy Scott, classmates Bonnie Langford and Lisa Maxwell, friend Carmen Cori and fellow child star, Neil Reid.

Lena Zavaroni: The Forgotten Child Star will air on BBC Scotland at 9pm on Sunday October 6.