EVERYONE had a different memory, but all had a common theme – laughter.
In a fitting farewell to one of comedy's biggest legends, friends of Norman Collier arrived in droves to pay their respects.
But rather than bowing their heads in sombre silence, well-wishers entered the church smiling – sharing a joke, re-enacting a line or just remembering the man who made people laugh both on and off stage.
Hull-born Norman died, aged 87, on March 14 at Brough Manor Residential Care Home after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.
While his relatives and wife Lucy will remember him as a family man who spread a lot of joy, his friends from the comedy circuit and fans knew him best for his broken microphone, chicken and club chairman routines.
Even his hearse – which contained very few flowers, as was Norman's wish – had a little flower microphone in the corner.
"Thank you to a unique, one-off personality, thank you to Norman for being part of all our lives," said comedian Roy Hudd.
"He was loved by friends and those of us who tried to get laughs for a living. A comedian loved by other comedians is a very rare comedian indeed.
"They were all funny men who got their laughs in totally individual ways and no one was more individual than Norman."Video: Norman Collier funeral procession at St Helen's Church, Welton
Four comedy greats gave personal tributes at the funeral – Roy Hudd, Eddie Large, Russ Abbot and Tom O'Connor.
But none of them felt like tributes, as they made people laugh and smile and each one joked about Norman, re-enacted one of his sketches or told a funny story about him.
Russ Abbot fondly remembered Norman playing his father in Russ Abbot's Madhouse.
He told the 245-strong congregation: "I was so privileged to work with him on Madhouse.
"Norman was the perfect guy for the series.
"I remember one sketch where he was knitting and the wool was still attached to the sheep.
"Like many of the greats, his name often came up in conversation – Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe, Norman Collier."
Remembering how he made audiences and production crews laugh, Russ said: "In one sketch, I walked into a café and he said, 'You can't sit there, it is reserved for Princess Anne'.
"I said 'Really?' and he said, 'She always comes here on the way home from badminton'.
"Then the director said to Norman, 'Try it a bit more matter of fact.'
"So we started the sketch again and Norman said, 'You can't sit there, it is reserved for Princess Anne as a matter of fact'.
"Everyone was falling about laughing and Norman was laughing more than anyone."Video: Celebrities' tributes to Norman Collier
Eddie Large's tribute to the star was more like a stand-up routine than a funeral speech.
When he first stood up, he pretended the lectern was too big and knelt behind it, mocking his own height.
He said: "Norman was very knowledgeable about the horses – usually the ones that came in fourth or fifth.
"One day, he didn't want to tell Lucy he was going to the bookies, so he said he had a charity golf event.
"When he got back, Lucy asked him how it went and he said it was great.
"Then she said, 'Next time you go to play golf, don't forget to take your golf clubs'.
"No one ever took him seriously."
Tom O'Connor also shared some stories of his times with Norman on the comedy circuits.
He remembered one occasion at a notoriously rough pub called the Grace Arms.
Tom said: "It was one of the hardest pubs to go on – one of those places where they go into injury time for a darts game.
"The compère went on to announce Norman and then he was handed a telegram to read out.
"It said, 'Congratulations, Norman, on finally making it to the Grace Arms in Birkenhead, from Elvis Presley'.
"Norman then walked out and just said 'Elvis, lovely man'."
Everyone at the funeral, which was held at St Helen's Church in Welton and led by Reverend Cannon Elaine Bielby, acknowledged that, although Norman had died, his jokes and memories would live on forever.
Tom O'Connor joked: "He will never die.
"In fact, his act is still being performed every day.
"Every day, millions of chickens get up ..." to which the congregation clapped and laughed.
• Gallery: Pictures of comedy stars at Norman Collier's funeral
