Eulogies? It's the way you tell 'em
Frank Carson laid to rest
Fans have lined the streets of Belfast to bid farewell to Frank Carson.
His funeral service has been held at St Patrick's Catholic Church, attended by showbusiness stars including comics Lenny Henry, Stan Boardman and Roy Walker.
The deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Martin McGuinness, was also present, as well as other politicians.
And Carson's body was then taken to the nearby Protestant St Anne's Cathedral, signifying his work to close Ulster's sectarian divide. The coffin will finally be taken to Milltown Cemetery for the burial.
Calling the comic a 'Prime Minister of Fun', Bishop Daly said: 'In his live performances, he could light up an audience and make them laugh and laugh. Thatis surely a great service to humanity.'
But he added: 'He would be the first to admit that he was not a saint. He loved acting the rascal. He loved being brash and very loud and naughty and mischievous, at times.
'It was just the way he was and he was all the more lovable for it'.
Carson's coffin was carried into chuch as onlookers clapped along to the refrain of 'it's a cracker', with a recording of Carson singing with some schoolchildren.
The comic died last month at his home in Blackpool at the age of 85, after a series of health problems.
Published: 3 Mar 2012
