The American singer and actor Al Martino, who had the UK's first No 1 record, has died at the age of 82.

His song Here in My Heart took the top spot when the New Musical Express introduced its chart in November 1952, and stayed there for nine weeks.

Though 50 years have passed, only six singles have stayed at No 1 for longer, most notably Everything I Do (I Do It for You) by Bryan Adams, which topped the charts for 16 weeks.

Martino died at his childhood home in Philadelphia. A former bricklayer, he played Johnny Fontane, a role inspired by Frank Sinatra, in the 1972 film The Godfather and sang the title score, The Love Theme from the Godfather. His character in the 1972 Francis Ford Coppola classic, which starred Marlon Brando and Al Pacino, is a singer and occasional actor and the godson of Brando's mafia boss character, Don Vito Corleone.

Despite his brush with the acting profession, Martino was best known as a jazz crooner. His other hits included Spanish Eyes, Can't Help Falling in Love and Volare, but Here in My Heart remained his only UK No 1. His last rendezvous with the charts came in 1973, with a re-release of Spanish Eyes.

Martino's chart career in the US was stalled by the growth of rock'n'roll in the late 1950s, but he returned during the 1960s with a run of Billboard hits.

In the 1980s he left his record company and continued to perform on the club circuit.

His most recent album, Style, was made nine years ago.

The Italian-American crooner, born Alfred Cini, was one of a number of south Philadelphia-born singers, including Bobby Rydell, Frankie Avalon and Fabian.