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Tributes pour in for Frank Carson
TRIBUTES today flooded in for legendary comedian Frank Carson who has died at the age of 85.
The funnyman – who made the Fylde coast his home for many years – lost his battle with stomach cancer, his family confirmed.
Belfast-born Frank had been ill for some time and died at home in Blackpool surrounded by his family.
In a statement, they today described him as a “husband, father, Gaga and comedian” who had now “set off for his final gig”.
They added: “He went peacefully at his home in Blackpool surrounded by his greatest fans – his extended family. We will be taking him home to Belfast to lay him to rest and celebrate his joyful life.
“It’s quieter down here now. God help them up there!”
Frank – famed for his “it’s a cracker” catchphrase – supported many Fylde coast charities and lived on Newton Drive.
He rose to fame in the 1960s after winning talent show Opportunity Knocks three times. He went on to appear in The Comedians and Tiswas.
Many of Frank’s close friends rushed to pay tribute to a man they described as one of “the last greats”.
St Annes-based TV comedian Bobby Ball told The Gazette: “I’m absolutely gutted – I never thought he would go. It doesn’t feel real, we really have lost someone we will never replace.”
Syd Little, one half of the TV double act Little & Large, added: “Frank was larger than life. He was a brilliant man and he kept going right until the end.”
Tracy Dawson, wife of the late, great Les Dawson, said: “Frank was one of the last of the greats, but he will be up there now with Les.”
Local comedian Mick Miller tweeted: “The world is a little quieter tonight. Frank Carson was a close friend and I will miss him.”
TV legend Sir Bruce Forsyth added: “He’ll be remembered as the man who loved to make people laugh.”
Former chat show host Sir Michael Parkinson said: “He was a good comic, a good man and great company – you were always smiling with people like Frank around.”
And it was not just the older generation of comedians who admired Frank’s talent for a rib tickler. Declan Donnelly, one half of comic duo Ant and Dec, tweeted: “We were lucky enough to work with Frank Carson, I’ve never laughed as hard as I did in rehearsals with him.”
And actor Simon Pegg tweeted: “Thanks very much and goodnight to Frank Carson.”
Born in Belfast on November 6, 1926 and worked as a plasterer and electrician and was in the Parachute Regiment in the Middle East in the 1950s before turning to showbusiness.
He also worked ceaselessly for charity and was made a Knight of St Gregory by Pope John Paul II in 1987.
Frank dedicated much of his life to looking after his wife Ruth, who had serious eyesight problems, with his sons Tony and Aidan and daughter Majella, despite his heart problems.
FULL STORY AND TRIBUTES, SEE THURSDAY’S GAZETTE
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Comments
There are 40 comments to this article
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Charles Lightoller
Monday, February 27, 2012 at 10:09 AM(#39) Don't make promises you can't keep. ;)
Blackpools Finest
Sunday, February 26, 2012 at 06:07 PMCharles you are a very naughty boy, you need to go over my knee
david.123
Sunday, February 26, 2012 at 04:48 PMA truly funny man who set out quite simply to make others happy. i once heard him entertain the whole length of the north pier on his way to do his show. alternative comedy is sadly often just that-unfuny and vulgar.
HohoKam
Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 08:55 AMIt certainly does liven things up, Charles,
Charles Lightoller
Friday, February 24, 2012 at 11:26 PM(#35) There's nothing wrong with a bit of trolling now and again, if nothing else it makes for a bit of a row! :)
HohoKam
Friday, February 24, 2012 at 12:52 PMCharles is just trying to wind you all up. I'm part Irish and we love irish jokes. And the best place to hear them is Ireland. We are more offended at the idea that we should feel victimised by what is just harmless leg pulling. You will be well missed, Frank.
Lancashire Medic
Friday, February 24, 2012 at 09:11 AMI Dealt with Frank a couple of times and even though he was very ill, always had a smile and made me laugh.... Sleep well Frank......
rockinhaley
Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 10:12 PMFRANK CARSON WAS TOPS , IM IRISH AND I NEVER WAS OFFENDED AT ANYTIME OF HIS JOKES , I THINK THATS WHY HE GOT ON WELL WITH HIS FELLOW COMEDIANS HE COULD TAKE SOME LEG PULLING , HE WAS A ONE OFF THE WORLD WILL BE A DULLER PLACE HE MADE MILLONS LAUGH FOR OVER 40 YEARS , WISH WE ALL COULD DO THAT AND BRING HAPPYNESS AND LAUGHTER TO THE WORLD WELL DONE FRANK
Removed
Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 10:11 PMCharles Lightroller his kind of comedy is his heroes ant and dec so shut your mouth this man was a comedy LEGEND.
Charles Lightoller
Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 08:41 PM(#30) Well since you ask, yes they were being racist and just because they are black themselves is no excuse. What about the afro caribbean people who don't appreciate their ethnicity being lampooned in such a way? It doesn't make it right just because another of the same ethnicity as yourself is making 'jokes' about your skin colour.............................I positively cringed when I heard the 'jokes' Frank Carson came out with as they were both cruel and cutting in their nature and he did nothing to dispel the myth that Irish people were all stupid. One thing is for sure, If he went on stage today doing the same act as he did then, quite rightly he would be immediately arrested and charged under the hate crimes act of 2006. Happily times have moved on.
nickseasider
Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 08:08 PMCharles lightoller - politically correct stupidity never fails to amaze me. Can I suggest you dont post such stupic comments please - most comedians today joke about themselves - Chris Rock or Eddie Murphy joke about being black and sterotyping are they rascists! Frank Carson was a clever man and was also point out that Northern Ireland produce a higher than average graduate ratio than most of the UK. Great funnyman and all round lovely bloke. Thoughts are with the family and friends.
Charles Lightoller
Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 07:57 PMHe could have been a lot funnier if he hadn't told so many racist jokes about the Irish, and being Irish himself, I'm afraid, was no defence. Many Irish people were hurt and offended by his 'jokes' and they resented the way he sterotyped them all as being a bit thick. Like Bernard Manning before him, his family should mourn his passing as a man, but we should all take comfort in the fact that little by little this brand of 'humour' is being consigned to a dark and unfunny past.
geoff stuart entertainer
Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 06:54 PMFrank was special,the last time we met was at Blackpool Airport with my family he had all the passengers in stitches. A "one off". A really funny man and a one of lifes gentlemen. We will miss you.
bouncerbloke
Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 06:36 PM@geezer466 (#10) another fellow para I take it. RIP Frank, airborne again
iwonder
Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 05:27 PMyou could have a good belly laugh as soon as he was introduced ,you knew you were in for a good time from Frank Carson,
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