Nolan sisters, Ricky Tomlinson and Roy Walker pay tribute to Joe Longthorne at his Blackpool funeral a week after entertainer died aged 64 in his husband’s arms
- Comic and impressionist was carried through his adopted city of Blackpool in a hearse ahead of his funeral
- Procession began at his home before passing several venues where he made his name, such as the North Pier
- Stars such as Roy Walker, the Nolan sisters and Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown were among the mourners present today
- The 64-year-old singer died in the arms of his husband on August 3 in Blackpool following a battle with cancer
Advertisement
Hundreds of fans lined the streets of Blackpool today as the city paid its final respects to veteran entertainer Joe Longthorne following his death at the age of 64.
The comic and impressionist was carried through his adopted city in a hearse as his funeral procession began at his Layton home before passing several of the venues where he made his name, including the iconic North Pier.
Stars such as Roy Walker, the Nolan sisters and Ricky Tomlinson were then among the mourners as a service took place at Sacred Heart Church, where hundreds of fans were permitted to join friends and family.
Canon Bob Dewhurst revealed that Longthorne had wanted a ‘simple service with straightforward hymns’ that the public could attend.
The 64-year-old singer died in the arms of his husband James, who was also seen at today’s service, on August 3 in Blackpool following a battle with cancer.
Stars such as Ricky Tomlinson, the Nolan sisters and Roy Walker were among the mourners as a service took place at Sacred Heart Church (pictured), where hundreds of fans were permitted to join friends and family
Actors Ricky Tomlinson and Tony Barton (left) were among the crowd who paid their final respects to veteran entertainer Joe Longthorne as he was laid to rest a week after his death
The 64-year-old singer died in the arms of his husband James, who was also seen at today’s service (pictured), on August 3 in Blackpool following a battle with cancer
Anne, Linda and Maureen, members of the girl group the Nolan Sisters (left), and comedian Roy Chubby Brown (right) were among those in attendance today as Joe Longthorne was laid to rest
Hundreds of fans lined the streets of Blackpool today as the city paid its final respects to veteran entertainer Joe Longthorne following his death at the age of 64
Joe’s husband James is hugged by a fellow mourner today (pictured left). Shown right is a floral display on show inside the actor’s hearse
The star singer was born into an entertainment family of Romani descent in Hull, on May 31, 1955.
During his childhood, he made regular appearances on the ITV series ‘Junior Showtime’ until the age of 16.
He shot to fame after appearing on the London Weekend Television series ‘Search for a Star’ in 1981.
His roaring success on the show led him to perform at venues such as the London Palladium and a month-long season at London’s Talk of the Town.
Three of his albums went platinum and he appeared in theatre in the US and at the Sydney Opera House.
In 2007 the Variety Club awarded him their Lifetime Achievement Award, which placed him amongst past recipients such as Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and Ella Fitzgerald.
He even went on to present his own television programme, The Joe Longthorne Show.
He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire in his 2012 Birthday Honours for services to charity.
Blackpool was brought to a standstill today as friends, relatives and fans alike gathered in the town centre to pay their respects to veteran comic Joe Longthorne
Northern Irish television personality and comedian Roy Walker (pictured left) was among those in attendance today, with mourners led by Joe’s husband James Moran (right)
Family and friends are led into the church by Joe Longthorne’s husband James Moran today as fans of the star show their appreciation
The coffin of Joe Longthorne is carefully removed from the back of a hearse before a service takes place at Sacred Heart Church in Blackpool
Singer Christopher Maloney and actress Alice Barry were among those in attendance today as mourners paid their final respects to Joe Longthorne
Canon Bob Dewhurst revealed that Longthorne had wanted a ‘simple service with straightforward hymns’ that the public could attend (pictured)
A floral display resembling a piano is left in the window of the hearse after Joe Longthorne’s coffin was carried into the church