The late, great Whitney Houston has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The So Emotional star’s mother Cissy took the stage at the first-ever virtual Induction Special in honour of her daughter, who joined music royalty for the ceremony, which aired on HBO and was presented by Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl.

Singer Alicia Keys was on hand to induct Whitney into the prestigious institution, gushing of the diva: “We all know what a miraculous singer Whitney was, perhaps the greatest voice of our time.

“We all know how her unprecedented success brought black women into the absolute highest reaches of the music industry’s pantheon. We all know that her music will live forever. That music, that everlasting voice, is her final, generous gift to us.”

Accepting the honour on behalf of Whitney, who died in 2012 at the age of 48, Cissy said: “I’m so very, very proud that Whitney is being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

“She wanted to be something – not anything. She worked hard at it, too. I’m proud of who she was. What can I say now? If I talk too long, I’ll cry. I don’t want to cry. This is something Whitney always wanted.”

Pat Houston, Whitney’s sister and manager, added: “I remember in 2009, we were in London. Whitney looked at me and she said, ‘This is really special, but there’s only one thing missing: I’ve got to get the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.’

“This moment right now proves it all: There’s only one matchless Whitney Houston, and tonight, she would be very proud and honoured to receive this award.”

Organisers were forced to postpone the annual induction event in May due to the coronavirus pandemic and opted for a fully virtual ceremony instead of the usual in-person gathering.

Depeche Mode were among the other acts inducted into the hall as part of the class of 2020 – with the group giving a special shoutout to their former members during their speech.