Merseyside comedian, Freddie Starr, has died, aged 76, according to a number of unconfirmed reports this morning.
A post on his official Facebook page reads:
“This is Freddie’s manager. Just to confirm Freddie has passed away. R.i.p to our greatest comedian of all time.”
Originally the lead singer of 60’s Merseybeat band, the Midnighters, he rose to fame a decade later, after appearing on the TV show, Opportunity Knocks.
At one time, a mainstay of the comedy circuit, he was described by Bobby Davro this morning as “the funniest man I have ever seen.” His TV programmes included The Freddie Starr Show and An Audience with Freddie Starr.
More recently he appeared on I’m a Celebrity, although he pulled out after suffering an allergic reaction to a challenge.
He will probably be forever remembered for The Sun’s headline: Freddie Starr ate my hamster. The story claimed that after a gig in Manchester, he made a “hamster sandwich.” Starr said that the incident never happened.
In 2012, he was told that Operation Yewtree were looking into allegations of historical sexual abuse. After spending 18 months on bail, he was told he wouldn’t be prosecuted.
He lost a defamation claim against his accuser at the High Court in 2015, after spending a reported £1m on legal bills.
Starr suffered from from ill-health and had bypass surgery following a heart attack in 2010.
In his final Facebook post on May 1st, Starr wrote:
“Hello everyone hope everyone is ok ? Me yes I’m ok getting tired more now but otherwise I’m doing good
“I just have to say thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all the kind comments and messages it really does mean a lot so thank you to each and everyone of you thanks so much . Freddie.”
