Hundreds of mourners gathered at the historic theatre yesterday to pay their respects to heritage campaigner, former theatre proprietor and world's oldest magician Cyril Critchlow who died earlier this month aged 85.

Blackpool variety legend dies

Mr Critchlow's coffin started a procession from Blackpool Town Hall to the Grand to the haunting sound of bagpipes.

On arrival a wreath shaped like a magician's top hat was placed on top alongside a famous photograph of the entertainer.

Mr Critchlow is best known as the creator of the former showbiz museum on Coronation Street.

He also worked to archive information on Blackpool's entertainment history and was a founder member of the Blackpool Magicians' Club.

His final performance at the Grand had a typically full bill as many speakers gathered to pay their respects to the man known as Blackpool's biggest fan.

The Gazette entertainment editor Robin Duke spoke of Mr Critchlow's amazing knowledge of the resort and read a section from The Golden Mile which chronicles his memories of Blackpool's famous promenade.

Elaine Smith from Blackpool Civic Trust spoke of a warm-hearted man who bewitched children with his magnetic appeal as he taught them about the town's history.

She recalled a time in recent years when he was due to give a talk to a group of children at the Grundy Art gallery and appeared in costume asking to be introduced as Wizardo, Harry Potter's grandfather.

She said: "Blackpool has lost a lot of memories in Cyril's death and I have lost a great friend.

"It has been a privilege to have known him and I'm glad that the magic of his life touched ours."

Arthur Casson, from Blackpool Magicians' club also paid a glowing tribute to "Cyril the optimist" and recalled a time the pair had been running a Punch and Judy stall on the beach.

He said: "I looked out of the stall and realised that the tide was coming in, I shouted to Cyril that we needed to go and he looked out at the sea and then back at me and said 'We can get in one more show.' That is what he was like, ever the optimist.

"He always had a twinkle in his eye and a great idea – he loved this town."

Heartfelt tributes were also paid by his daughter, grandson and great grand-daughter before a slide show was played accompanied by Frank Sinatra's Among My Souvenirs.

As the coffin was led out to the sound of Ravel's Bolero, the audience gave a final thunderous standing ovation to one of Blackpool's brightest stars.