Final farewell to comic Manning

Comics Bobby Ball (left), Frank Carson (centre) and Tommy Cannon bade Manning farewell

Hundreds of mourners have attended the funeral of comic Bernard Manning, who died last week aged 76.

Fellow comedians at the ceremony in Manchester included Irishman Frank Carson, who read the eulogy at the service, and Roy "Chubby" Brown.

Manning's horse-drawn hearse stopped at his Embassy Club before the funeral service at Blackley Crematorium.

The comedian's family and closest friends attended a wake at the club following the funeral.

Established compere

Manning's son and two surviving sisters led an estimated 300 mourners into the chapel, while a further 150 people listened to proceedings on loudspeakers outside.

The late comedian's hearse passed his Manchester club

Some 500 people lined the streets near the comic's club in his hometown of Middleton, where he used to perform several shows each week.

Comedian and former host of TV gameshow Catchphrase, Roy Walker, paid his respects, along with comedians Jim Bowen, Stan Boardman, Bobby Ball and his comedy partner Tommy Cannon.

Father Bryan Cunningham who conducted the service, recounted a conversation Manning had had with his son Bernard Junior a few weeks ago.

"Bernard Junior asked him ''Do you want to be buried or cremated?' He looked up and said, 'Surprise me'."

Irish-born comedian Carson, who delivered the eulogy, said he had visited Manning recently in hospital and he "was still sparing no-one", telling a joke about an Irishman in front of him.

"He didn't even spare the nurses. He was complaining that they changed his medication to iron tablets and he woke up facing north," added Carson.

"I love you, I miss you," concluded the entertainer, choking back tears.

Manning was fondly remembered by fellow comics at the funeral

Former Manchester United player Dennis Law was also among the mourners, along with former Coronation Street star Bruce Jones, who played Les Battersby in the ITV soap.

Manning, who died from a kidney condition, shot to fame on 1970s ITV programme The Comedians, and was an established compere throughout his career.

The entertainer wrote his own eulogy which was published in the Daily Mail after his death, in which he defended himself against accusations of racism.