Alan Osmond, star of the Osmonds, has died aged 76 after a 40-year battle with MS

Merrill also wrote on Facebook: “Dear friends, two days before my brother Alan passed away, I was blessed to sit quietly with him. We talked as brothers do, heart to heart.”

“He was having a hard time, but when I told a few jokes, he found the strength to chuckle… and then he smiled. In a tender moment I’ll never forget, he leaned over and whispered in my ear. He said, ‘Merrill, you and I worked side by side.’

The musician continued. “We created, produced, directed… we gave our hearts to The Plan with Wayne. Please… do something with it. Let people know what we were trying to say.” I want you to know that his request will be honored.”

Alan, who shares eight children with wife Suzanne Pinegar, rose to fame when he appeared with his siblings on The Andy Williams Show in the 1960s.

His singing career began at the age of 12 in a barbershop quartet with his brothers Wayne, Merrill and Jay. He was later joined by their younger brother Donny.