‘Naturally born comedian’ Carson dies of cancer

Belfast-born Frank Carson died yesterday after a long battle with cancer.

Carson, 85, had been suffering from stomach cancer for a number of years.

In a statement, Carson’s family said that “husband, father, Gaga [grandfather] 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!!”

Carson was born in 1926 in the deprived working-class area near York Street in north Belfast known as Little Italy.

Born to a family of Italian descent, the son of a binman worked as a plasterer and electrician before joining the British Parachute Regiment.

He served three years in the Middle East in the 1950s before turning to showbusiness.

Friend and journalist Eddie McIlwaine revealed an early inspiration for Carson’s career was meeting Laurel and Hardy in a barbers’ shop in Belfast. He appeared on Irish TV before moving to Britain to work in stand-up. His breakthrough came in the 1960s on TV talent show Opportunity Knocks and stand-up show The Comedians.

The comic was recognised for his catchphrases “It’s a cracker” and “It’s the way I tell ’em” and performed all over Britain from his Blackpool base.

Taking part in about 80 events a year until shortly before he died, his irrepressible and irreverent sense of humour was present to the last.

Mr McIlwaine recalled: “He met the present Pope and the Pope said: ‘Did you ever meet Elvis Presley?’ and Frank said: ‘No I have not but it won’t be long now’.”

He worked ceaselessly for charity and dedicated much of his life to looking after his wife Ruth, who had serious eyesight problems, with his sons Tony and Aidan and daughter Majella, despite his own health problems. The family also put a huge effort into bringing the two sides of the community in Northern Ireland together through education.

Mr McIlwaine said: “He was not just a comedian on stage, he was always a funny man and an expert at the one-liner, he was a naturally born comedian.”

Celebrity friends who predeceased him included Eric Morecambe, Bernard Manning, Tommy Cooper, Spike Milligan and Norman Wisdom — part of a dying brand of comedy.

The way he told ’em

Frank Carson one-liners

* Someone threw a petrol bomb at Alex Higgins once and he drank it!

* So I rang up British Telecom, I said: ‘I want to report a nuisance caller.’ He said: ‘Not you again.’

* It’s the way I tell ’em, It’s a cracker.

* I am accusing him of stealing my best material, he was a very funny man.