Oh, blimey... Frank Sidebottom exhibition opens

The cult comic figure Frank Sidebottom was a legend, says councillor Eve Parker

Cult comic character Frank Sidebottom's career is being celebrated in a new exhibition launched by one of his creator's friends.

Frank's World features memorabilia connected to Manchester comedian Chris Sievey's papier mache-headed creation, including his Big Shorts football shirt, his Magical Timperley Tour jacket.

The free exhibition, at Trafford Council's Local Studies Centre in Sale, and was organised by Sievey's friend Gary Maguire and runs until 30 August.

Sievey, who launched Sidebottom in 1984, died in 2010.

Sidebottom became an almost instant success after appearing on an untitled EP by Chris Sievey & the Freshies.

He went on to record pastiche hits such as Panic On The Streets Of Timperley, Anarchy In Timperley, and Born In Timperley.

Mr Maguire met Sievey more than three decades ago when he was running a comic and toy shop in Manchester city centre and he has continued to collect Frank Sidebottom memorabilia since the 1990s.

He said: "Chris was a really interesting character and was huge on the Manchester music scene.

"He was such a talent – a great singer, musician, artist and comic. I'd never met anyone like him before."

Gary Maguire has been collecting Frank Sidebottom memorabilia since the 1990s

Mr Maguire added: "His Frank Sidebottom alter ego was inspiring and he was never far from the action in Manchester from 1984, when Frank first appeared on the scene, up to his death 15 years ago."

Timperley always held an important place in the character's heart.

His statue in the centre of the village is extremely popular and includes an homage to the town inspired by the Kinks' hit Waterloo Sunset.

It reads: "As long as I gaze on Timperley sunset, I am in paradise."

Rare artworks are also featured in the display

Councillor Eve Parker, Trafford Council's executive member for leisure, arts, culture and heritage, urged people to go to the exhibition.

"Frank Sidebottom was a legend and to have such amazing and rare items connected to him on display at the Local Studies and Archive Centre is fabulous."

As well as rare artefacts and artworks, the exhibition also features a video entitled the Magical Timperley Tour created by film maker Steve Sullivan, who created the documentary Being Frank – the Chris Sievey story.