This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/entertainment/6241604.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Final farewell to comic Manning Final farewell to comic Manning
(about 6 hours later)
Hundreds of mourners have attended the funeral of comic Bernard Manning, who died last week aged 76.Hundreds of mourners have attended the funeral of comic Bernard Manning, who died last week aged 76.
Fellow comedians at the ceremony in Manchester included Irishman Frank Carson, who read the eulogy at the service, and Roy "Chubby" Brown.Fellow comedians at the ceremony in Manchester included Irishman Frank Carson, who read the eulogy at the service, and Roy "Chubby" Brown.
Manning's horse-drawn hearse stopped at his Embassy Club before the funeral service at Blackley Crematorium.Manning's horse-drawn hearse stopped at his Embassy Club before the funeral service at Blackley Crematorium.
The comedian's family and closest friends will attend a wake, to be held at the club following the funeral. The comedian's family and closest friends attended a wake at the club following the funeral.
Established compereEstablished compere
Manning's son and two surviving sisters led an estimated 300 mourners into the chapel, while a further 150 people listened to proceedings on loudspeakers outside.Manning's son and two surviving sisters led an estimated 300 mourners into the chapel, while a further 150 people listened to proceedings on loudspeakers outside.
The late comedian's hearse passed his Manchester clubThe late comedian's hearse passed his Manchester club
Some 500 people lined the streets near the comic's club in his hometown of Middleton, where he used to perform several shows each week.Some 500 people lined the streets near the comic's club in his hometown of Middleton, where he used to perform several shows each week.
Comedian and former host of TV gameshow Catchphrase, Roy Walker, paid his respects, along with comedians Jim Bowen, Stan Boardman, Bobby Ball and his comedy partner Tommy Cannon.Comedian and former host of TV gameshow Catchphrase, Roy Walker, paid his respects, along with comedians Jim Bowen, Stan Boardman, Bobby Ball and his comedy partner Tommy Cannon.
Father Bryan Cunningham who conducted the service, recounted a conversation Manning had had with his son Bernard Junior a few weeks ago.Father Bryan Cunningham who conducted the service, recounted a conversation Manning had had with his son Bernard Junior a few weeks ago.
"Bernard Junior asked him ''Do you want to be buried or cremated?' He looked up and said, 'Surprise me'.""Bernard Junior asked him ''Do you want to be buried or cremated?' He looked up and said, 'Surprise me'."
Irish-born comedian Carson, who delivered the eulogy, said he had visited Manning recently in hospital and he "was still sparing no-one", telling a joke about an Irishman in front of him.Irish-born comedian Carson, who delivered the eulogy, said he had visited Manning recently in hospital and he "was still sparing no-one", telling a joke about an Irishman in front of him.
"He didn't even spare the nurses. He was complaining that they changed his medication to iron tablets and he woke up facing north," added Carson."He didn't even spare the nurses. He was complaining that they changed his medication to iron tablets and he woke up facing north," added Carson.
"I love you, I miss you," concluded the entertainer, choking back tears."I love you, I miss you," concluded the entertainer, choking back tears.
Manning was fondly remembered by fellow comics at the funeralManning was fondly remembered by fellow comics at the funeral
Former Manchester United player Dennis Law was also among the mourners, along with former Coronation Street star Bruce Jones, who played Les Battersby in the ITV soap.Former Manchester United player Dennis Law was also among the mourners, along with former Coronation Street star Bruce Jones, who played Les Battersby in the ITV soap.
Manning, who died from a kidney condition, shot to fame on 1970s ITV programme The Comedians, and was an established compere throughout his career.Manning, who died from a kidney condition, shot to fame on 1970s ITV programme The Comedians, and was an established compere throughout his career.
The entertainer wrote his own eulogy which was published in the Daily Mail after his death, in which he defended himself against accusations of racism.The entertainer wrote his own eulogy which was published in the Daily Mail after his death, in which he defended himself against accusations of racism.