Bobby Ball dies aged 76 after testing positive for Covid; Cannon and Ball were firm favourites of Yorkshire Coast audiences

Cannon and Ball were one of the top comedy acts in the UK in the 1980s and 90s, and regularly played summer seasons and one-off shows on the Yorkshire Coast.

They graced the stage many times at Scarborough's Futurist Theatre and Bridlington Spa.

Bobby Ball had been in hospital with breathing problems.

A statement from his manager Phil Dale said: “It is with great personal sadness that on behalf of Yvonne Ball, and the family, and Tommy Cannon, I announce that Bobby Ball passed away at Blackpool Victoria Hospital on the 28th October 2020 approximately 9.30pm.

“Bobby had been taken to the hospital for tests as he started with breathing problems. At first it was thought to be a chest infection but a test proved positive for Covid-19.

“His wife Yvonne said the hospital and staff could not have been more wonderful, as they were outstanding in their care of duty and they did everything possible for him and she cannot praise them enough."

Tommy Cannon said: “Rock on, my good friend, I can’t believe this, I’m devastated.”

His wife Yvonne said: “I will always miss him, he was so joyful, full of fun and mischievous.”

Phil Dale added: “Yvonne said that the family and Tommy would like to express their sincere thanks to the many, many people who have been fans of Bobby and they know that they will all share in part the great loss and total sadness that Yvonne, the family and Tommy all feel.

Bobby Ball was born Robert Harper on January 28 1944 and found fame on the The Cannon & Ball Show opposite his lifelong friend Tommy Cannon.

Cannon and Ball’s first TV appearance came in 1968 when they entered Opportunity Knocks.

Bobby also appeared in TV series including Last Of The Summer Wine, Heartbeat, Mount Pleasant, Benidorm, The Cockfields and Not Going Out, and the duo appeared on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2005.

In April 2013, just before shows around the country including Scarborough, Bobby said: “We’ve been together now 50 years me and Tommy.

“We went into comedy because the comics earned more money than the singers. We actually started off in a jazz trio.

“Tommy and I had met when I was singing at working men’s clubs just in my own time, as well as working as a welder.

“We became good friends and I taught him how to play the drums. I would sing and we met another guy who played piano. And then eventually, Tommy and I went on our own.

“I remember Tommy and I doing our first ever sell-out show at North Pier in 1980. It was brilliant.”

"Now I get to do acting and TV shows and I also have my comedy work with Tommy. I like the variety, I like being able to do different things.”

Bobby started in show business at the tender age of six.

“My sister and I used to perform in working men’s clubs, singing. I had special permission from the education authority to have time off school to do shows.

“But then I got to about 15 and become a teddy boy and discovered girls and didn’t think it was very cool to be doing show business. So I became a welder.”

At the height of their success in the 1980s, the pair - who were the highest paid entertainers in the UK - were barely on speaking terms.

But they likened the relationship to a marriage, with its rocky periods over the years, but after getting through the difficulties, their bond was stronger.

Bobby’s life changed when he found God and faith helped him improve all aspects of his life.