Comedy figures pay tribute to Norman Collier

LEADING figures from the world of British comedy gathered yesterday in tribute to the comedian Norman Collier.

Russ Abbot, Roy “Chubby” Brown, Eddie Large and Freddie “Parrot Face” Davies joined the mourners at Collier’s funeral service in the village of Welton, East Yorkshire.

The funnyman died earlier this month aged 87.

Among other famous faces paying tribute outside St Helen’s Church were Tom O’Connor, Roy Walker, Tommy Cannon, Bobby Ball, Syd Little and Roy Hudd.

Some of the comedy legends assembled at the church even attempted Collier’s trademark stuttering microphone routine.

But Abbot admitted “no-one could do it like Norman”.

Large said: “Norman was the funniest man I’ve ever met. I’ve never had so many laughs in his company, ever. He was magical.”

Collier died at a care home close to his native Hull after being ill with Parkinson’s for a number of years. He is survived by wife Lucy and three children.