9ft statue to Bobby Ball unveiled

A 9ft statue of Bobby Ball has been unveiled in his Lancashire hometown.

The comic’s double-act partner Tommy Cannon was among those who helped pull the drapes off the likeness in  Lowther Gardens in Lytham St Annes, just south of Blackpool.

Also at the event were his widow, Yvonne Ball, and their three children plus Lee Mack – who worked with Bobby on Not Going Out, and actresses Sherrie Hewson and Cheryl Fergison.

According to LancsLive, Yvonne said her husband of 46 years would have been ‘overwhelmed’ by the honour, adding: ‘To put it in his words, he’d be "piggin’ chuffed". Bob loved living in Lytham. We had made it our home, so to have him remembered with a statue in the gardens of Lowther Pavilion is very special indeed.’

The moment of the unvieling of Bobby Ball in #Lytham, watched by his family and @TheTommyCannon.#BobbyBall pic.twitter.com/ktHlH6RSad

— BBC Lancashire (@BBCLancashire) August 28, 2022

The statue was commissioned from sculptor Ben Twiston-Davies after a £100,000 fundraising effort from fans and family following Ball’s  death in October 2020 at the age of 76.

It is based on how the comedian looked when he was 40  with a ‘twinkle in his eye’, one leg slightly forward and slightly pulling on his right brace with his right thumb.

What a belter! #bobbyball #statue pic.twitter.com/e2YlehwlB8

— The Bobby Ball Foundation (@TheBobbyBall) August 29, 2022

Fylde council leader Karen Buckley previously said: ‘Bobby was a very special, incredibly talented and unique individual who was truly adopted by the locals of Lytham St Annes.

‘His lasting legacy of kindness and joy means he will be sadly missed and this statue will ensure he can go on giving that joy to visitors and residents of the area long after Bobby took his final bow and left the stage.’

Though born in Oldham, Ball –  real name Robert Harper – lived in Lytham for the last 25 years of his life.

Published: 30 Aug 2022