Tragic pop star Beverley O'Sullivan had cancelled a planned trip to Australia in December -- but decided to go ahead with her ill-fated tour of India.

The singer had initially hoped to attend a friend's wedding in Perth in the run-up to Christmas, but decided not to because her services were in such demand back home.

Beverley (28), who was a member of the pop group Fifth Avenue, was killed in a car crash in India on Monday.

Her busy work schedule meant that she had "too many gigs" booked for December and therefore had to take her holidays earlier than initially intended.

Excited

She opted for a sight-seeing tour of India with boyfriend Stephen Reeves who was is "stable" after the accident.

Today, their friend and bride-to-be Denise Magennis told the Herald: "Words cannot describe how I'm feeling right now."

She explained that the couple weren't going to make it to the Perth wedding but had big plans for celebrations in Ireland before the New Year.

"I was going home to celebrate with them at Christmas instead," she said.

The couple only left Ireland on Sunday and were extremely excited about both the holiday and the return home.

Ms Magennis has expressed her shock as losing such a "beautiful angel" just weeks before what was supposed to be a happy reunion.

"Words cannot describe how I'm feeling right now -- to lose such a beautiful, beautiful girl and a very dear friend in such horrible circumstances," she said.

"Beva, I know you're shining down on us and watching over Steve.I love you and will miss you everyday, our beautiful angel."

Stars from the Irish music industry, including Westlife, have already expressed their sympathies to the O'Sullivan family. Beverley's devastated parents Eoin and Bernadine, from Donaghmede, arrived in New Delhi yesterday and are working to ensure that her remains can be repatriated as quickly as possible.

Her brother Wayne, who was backpacking in Buenos Aires, has flown back to Dublin and the Department of Foreign Affairs say they are offering consular assistance.

Beverley was involved in the music industry for ten years and has received several awards including Gold and Platinum discs for her time with the Irish pop band Fifth Avenue.

Missing

Since the group spilt in 2006, Beverley had carved a successful career as a singer for functions such as weddings and funerals.

Last year, she recorded a single as part of the campaign to help find her missing cousin Amy Fitzpatrick, who disappeared without trace in the Costa de Sol on New Years Day in 2008.

Beverley had many famous friends, including the members of Westlife. She spent three years touring with the group and following news of her tragic death, Mark Feehily described her as "gorgeous and talented".

kdoyle@herald.ie

- Kevin Doyle