Northern Irish comedian Frank Carson has died. He was 85.
The Belfast born stand-up, known for his catchphrases "It's a cracker" and "It's the way I tell 'em", had been battling stomach cancer for some time.
His spokesman said: "He died this morning, his family called to tell us."
"Frank will be remembered for being a wonderful stand up comedian from the golden era of light entertainment on television shows such as The Comedians, Tiswas, Opportunity Knocks and many, many more."
He added: "His audience and friends alike will remember him as a genuine, kind-hearted and generous man who was also very funny because of 'the way he told 'em'. We will remember him as one of the nicest people in showbiz, a gentleman and a friend."
Carson had been taking part in around 80 events a year until shortly before he died and his irrepressible and irreverent sense of humour was present to the last.
Journalist and friend Eddie McIlwaine recalled: "He met the present Pope (Benedict XVI) and the Pope said 'did you ever meet Elvis Presley' and Frank said 'no I have not but it won't be long now'."
Mr McIlwaine said an inspiration behind Carson's comic career was meeting Laurel and Hardy in a barber's shop in Belfast when he was already performing at pubs and small concert halls.
The former tradesman subsequently shot to fame when he won TV talent show Opportunity Knocks.
He also worked ceaselessly for charity and was made a Knight of St Gregory by Pope John Paul II in 1987, the highest honour in the Catholic church.
Only a couple of months ago he was at the late pontiff's beatification ceremony in Rome wearing his knight's uniform, Mr McIlwaine said.
He 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 heart problems.
He was a supporter of Blackpool FC and, politically, he backed the UK Independence Party.
But Carson's sense of humour shone through in everything he did.
Mr McIlwaine added: "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".
PA