Mandy Rice-Davies, Profumo affair showgirl, dies aged 70

Mandy Rice-Davies, one of the women at the centre of the Profumo affair, has died aged 70 after a short battle with cancer.

The former showgirl and her friend Christine Keeler became household names when the scandal that rocked Harold Macmillan's Tory government was exposed in the biggest scandal in the 1960s.

A spokesman for her publicist said, "It is with deep sadness that the family of Marilyn Foreman, also known as Mandy Rice-Davies, have confirmed that she passed away yesterday evening after a short battle with cancer."

Along with Keeler, the model and showgirl achieved notoriety in 1963 for her involvement in a sex and espionage scandal which led to the resignation of War Minister John Profumo and seriously discredited the Conservative government of Harold Macmillan.

Born near Llanelli and raised in Solihull, Rice-Davies was a dancer and model in Soho when she met Keeler. Through Keeler's friend Stephen Ward, a well-connected osteopath, she was introduced to figures from high society, including politicians and peers.

One of their circle - whom Rice-Davies never met - was Profumo, with whom Keeler was having an affair. Keeler was at the same time involved with a Soviet attache.

When the scandal erupted, Profumo initially denied any involvement with Keeler, but was subsequently forced to resign. He withdrew from politics and dedicated the rest of his life to charitable works.

Rice-Davies testified at the trial of Ward, who was accused of living off immoral earnings, where she made her famous remark. Ward committed suicide before the verdict.

She subsequently traded on her notoriety, opening several nightclubs and restaurants. She later turned her hand to acting.

She was married three times and reportedly divided her time between homes in Miami, the Bahamas and Virginia Water, Surrey.