Kirby was born in Ilford, Essex, later part of Greater London, the eldest of three children of Irish parents. Her mother Eileen brought them up alone after their father left early in their childhood. Kirby grew up on Tomswood Hill, Barkingside, in Ilford, and attended the Ursuline Convent School where she sang in the choir."Ilford's 'Blonde Bombshell' Kathy Kirby dies age 72" Ilfordrecorder.co.uk. Retrieved 21 May 2011.
