Bobby Ball : Red braces tribute at comedian's funeral

Locals described the comedian as "a real friend"

Mourners at the funeral of comedian Bobby Ball, 76, donned his trademark red braces to say a farewell.

Fans lined the street near Hope Church in Lytham to pay their final respects to the star, who died last month after testing positive for Covid-19.

His comedy partner Tommy Cannon was among the mourners at the service, which was private and invite-only because of coronavirus restrictions.

Oldham-born Ball and Cannon's act was a big success in the 1970s and 80s.

They rose from playing working men's clubs to star at the London Palladium and at their height had their own Saturday night ITV show.

Ball's signature red braces were a centrepiece and his catchphrase "Rock on Tommy" would echo around school playgrounds at the time.

A table with a book of condolence, hand sanitiser and donation box for the Blue Skies Hospital Fund and Lowther Pavilion, was set up on the pavement where fans gathered for his funeral.

Mourners wearing red braces in honour of comedian Bobby Ball outside Hope Church in Lytham Saint Annes

A book of condolence for comedian Bobby Ball outside Hope Church in Lytham Saint Annes

Tony Callison, who was among them, said he used to drink with Ball in local bar The Sunday Club.

He said: "I had a hard time last year where I needed help and Bobby was there for me as if he was a friend.

Tommy Cannon arrives at Hope Church

The cortege also paused at the comedy carpet in Blackpool where famous comics are immortalised on the seafront.

'Kindest guy'

Zoe Robertson, who owns apartments that Ball and his wife Yvonne stayed in when they moved to Lytham, said: "They were just the nicest people ever and since they've been in Lytham they've just become part of the community.

"He was one of the kindest guys. He will be so missed and it is so sad.

"He couldn't help himself from telling jokes.

"In the last lockdown we used to see him sitting on his bench and he would always have a joke."

Memorial cards left outside the service said Ball was a deeply loved husband and an adored grandfather and great-grandfather.

They read: "Things Bob loved... his family, friends, being creative, making people happy, entertaining, music and a chilled glass of Chardonnay."

Ball, born Robert Harper on 28 January 1944, won over new fans playing Lee Mack's troublesome father Frank in the BBC One sitcom Not Going Out, from 2009.

He died at Blackpool Victoria Hospital on 28 October.

The cortege paused by the comedy carpet in Blackpool

At the scene

By Alison Butterworth, BBC Radio Lancashire

This isn't the usual way the Fylde coast says goodbye to its celebrities especially following the outpouring of tributes after Bobby Ball's death.

However, the family had asked people to stay away and respect Covid-19 guidelines.

Hundreds still turned out to say their socially-distanced goodbyes to the much-loved comedian who was one of the Fylde's adopted sons.

The cortège poignantly paused at Blackpool's comedy carpet where his name is immortalised - and not far from the Winter Gardens where Cannon and Ball topped the bill in 1985.

Fans clapped and shouted "Rock on Bobby" as the hearse with wreaths saying Grandad and Bob then set off for his final bow.