Bobby Knutt, who died aged 71 in September, performed his own eulogy at a packed service at a South Yorkshire church
Benidorm and Emmerdale actor Bobby Knutt today managed to take centre stage — at his own funeral.
The TV funnyman, who died aged 71 in September, performed his own eulogy at a packed service at a South Yorkshire church.
Among the stars of the stage and screen who attended the funeral at Holy Trinity Church Wentworth, near Rotherham, were actor John Challis, who played Boycie in Only Fools and Horses, musician Richard Hawley and droves of Bobby’s co-stars off Benidorm.
And the church became Bobby’s final set, as he spoke about his life and career through a video put together by friends and relatives, reports the Sheffield Star.
Bobby spoke of how his philosophy in life was to ‘start off at 100mph and get faster’, while pictures of his appearances in Emmerdale, Benidorm and on stage in panto were displayed.
Mourners cried with laughter as he recounted funny stories about starting out on the South Yorkshire club circuit.
Bobby Knutt’s on-screen family Steve Edge, Josh Bolt, Julie Graham and Kate Fitzgerald at Bobby Knutt’s funeral at Wentworth Church, near Rotherham, South Yorkshire
His hearse displayed floral tributes of ‘Dad’ as well as his nickname, ‘Knutty’
And the church became Bobby’s final set, as he spoke about his life and career through a video put together by friends and relatives
Steve Edge, Josh Bolt, Julie Graham and Kate Fitzgerald share a hug at Bobby Knutt’s funeral at Wentworth Church
Bobby also mention a memorable performance he put on at Hemsworth Working Men’s Club, during which his set was interrupted by punters leaving their seats to join a queue for pie and peas.
He also spoke of his becoming a comedy singer alongside his stand-up and acting career, adding ‘by no stretch could I ever be a sex symbol’.
Bobby also told mourners how proud he was of his Sheffield roots and that he ‘used to get a kick out of making people laugh’.
Bobby Knutt, who starred as Albert Dingle in Emmerdale and also in Beniform, died aged 71 in September this year
The TV funnyman (center) who died aged 71 in September, performed his own eulogy at a packed service at a South Yorkshire church
Knutt played Albert Dingle in ITV soap Emmerdale. He is pictured on the show, left and right. The actor first found fame on The Comedians and went on to appear in Last of the Summer Wine, All Creatures Great & Small, Our Friends in the North and Heartbeat
Left: A guest with flowers arrives for Bobby Knutt’s funeral. Right: Benidorm actress Kate Fitzgerald was in attendance for Bobby’s last hurrah
Steve Edge and josh Bolt outside the church in South Yorkshire earlier today for Bobby ‘Knutty’ Knutt’s funeral
Left: Grumbleweeds member Robin Colvill, who released a four minute video on YouTube chronicling Bobby’s last ever performance, which was with them at The Brittania Pier in Great Yarmouth on August 2
Canon Trevor Page, who was leading the service, said: ‘He was such a big personality and it is difficult to accept his absence.’
He said Bobby was a talented comic who was the ‘King of WMCs’, adding: ‘Everyone has memories that can raise our moods and pour light into darkness.’
Mourners rose for a final round of applause as Bobby’s coffin was carried out of the church to his 1974 songs ‘You’re My Day, You’re My Night’ and ‘Did I Hear You Say Goodbye?’.
His hearse displayed floral tributes of ‘Dad’ as well as his nickname, ‘Knutty’.
Knutt played Albert Dingle in ITV soap Emmerdale. He first found fame on The Comedians and went on to appear in Last of the Summer Wine, All Creatures Great & Small, Our Friends in the North and Heartbeat.
The actor was married to Donna Hartley, hailed the ‘golden girl’ of British athletics at the 1980 Olympics, who died while sunbathing in the couple’s garden in Barnsley in 2013.
The 58-year-old former 400 metres runner was found by Knutt lying on a sun lounger in a bikini.