TV News
Comedian Frank Carson dies aged 85
Thursday 23 February 2012
His spokesperson confirmed that the comedian, renowned for his catchphrases 'It's a cracker' and 'It's the way I tell 'em', passed away in his Blackpool home.
In a statement, his family said that the "husband, father, Gaga and comedian set off for his final gig today.
"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!!"
He is survived by his wife Ruth, daughter Majella and sons Tony and Aidan, along with ten grandchildren.
The former tradesman rose to fame when he won the talent show Opportunity Knocks three times in the 1960s.
Tributes have flooded in for the performer, who was still working up until recently.
In an interview with ITV News Bruce Forsyth said: "The only trouble with Frank, as far as I'm concerned, is that he made me laugh too much.
"He'll be remembered as the one and only Frank Carson - the man who loved to make people laugh."
Television presenter Eamonn Holmes said: "The term legend is often overused - but Frank Carson was a legend and we will never ever see his likes again."
Comedian Ken Dodd, who worked with Carson on the BBC Radio 2 show Pull The Other One in the 1980s, said his "good friend" had the "fantastic gift of making people happy". He added: "He was a wonderful comedian, a fabulous jolly jester and had a fantastic gift of making people feel happy. His humour was always mainstream - he didn't do dirty or obscene comedy."
Former chat show host Michael Parkinson said Carson represented "front-of-cloth comedy".
Chris Tarrant, who appeared alongside Carson on the TV show Tiswas, told BBC Radio 5 Live: "He was the funniest man I have met in my life and would tell jokes relentlessly - there was not anyone like him."
Lenny Henry tweeted: "Fella wnt in2 B&Q- He says : I want some nails - the guy said"How long d'you want em?' fella said "I wanna keep em" Frank Carson R.I.P.[sic]"
Simon Pegg wrote: "Thanks very much and goodnight to Frank Carson. It was the way he told them. Funny man."
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