Comedian Frank Sidebottom dies

[dutchman]

Comedian Frank Sidebottom, real name Chris Sievey, has passed away at his home in Hale.

The TV star and stand-up was found collapsed at his house on Hawthorn Road by his girlfriend at 12.40am today, according to the Manchester Evening News. It is believed that he was still alive when he was taken to Wythenshawe Hospital in an ambulance, but he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

Sievey, whose Sidebottom character was best known for his distinctive oversized papier-mache head, recently underwent an operation to remove a tumour from his chest. Last week, the comic announced plans to release unofficial England World Cup song 'Three Shirts On My Line', which he hoped would raise money for cancer charities.

Popular comedy character Sidebottom was based around an aspiring popstar from the village of Timperley, Cheshire. He was an enthusiastic character who still lived at home with his mother and had a puppet sidekick called Little Frank.

Sidebottom won cult status in the '80s when he was a regular on the university circuit with his comedy covers and discussions about his hobbies. He landed TV appearances on Granada, Television South/ITV Saturday morning children's show No. 73, Channel 4 gameshow Remote Control and even his own short-lived series Frank Sidebottom's Fantastic Shed Show.

He also regularly collaborated with former Radio 1 DJs Mark and Lard, while in 2009 and early 2010 he toured with punk-poet John Cooper Clarke.

Mark Alston, a close friend of Sievey, told the Manchester Evening Post: "It is just really awful. I just feel in shock. He was a big comedy name in Greater Manchester - one of the biggest. He was also a musical genius and a good friend to many. He was a legend in the region and will be missed.

"He was carrying on performing right until the end. He was saying that he was going to get shut of the cancer and not to cancel any more bookings. He had a massive group of friends and associates. He influenced and brought happiness to thousands of people."

Before finding fame with Sidebottom, Sievey enjoyed a brief pop career with his punk band The Freshies, who had a minor hit with 'I'm In Love With The Girl On A Certain Megastore Checkout Desk'.