PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC - Former national calypso monarch and Road March champion Sedley Joseph, has died following a stroke. He was 70 years old.

Joseph, who used the stage name “Penguin”, had several hits including “A Deputy Essential”, “We Living In Jail”, Betty Goatee" and "What Sweet In Goat Mout".

The former school teacher, who also served as president of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO), was awarded the Hummingbird Medal (Gold) in 2005 for his contribution to the development of the calypso art form.

His brother, Martin Joseph, a former national security minister, said that the singer had been suffering from various illnesses over the past few months.

Trinidad and Tobago is now observing the 2013 Carnival celebrations that will end on February 12 with a number of activities including the calypso monarch competition.