Tommy Cannon leads mourners at funeral of comedy partner Bobby Ball

Watch: Mourners wear red braces at funeral of comedian Bobby Ball

Tommy Cannon has led mourners in paying respects to his late friend and comedy partner Bobby Ball on Tuesday.

The funeral for the comedian, who was born Robert Harper, took place at Hope Church in Lytham Saint Annes, Lancashire, nearly three weeks after he died from COVID complications at the age of 76 on 28 October.

Cannon, 82, was among those at the private service which had a limited capacity due to coronavirus restrictions.

Meanwhile, mourners were seen sporting red braces as a tribute to the late star.

Read more: Tributes paid to ‘ultimate entertainer’ Des O’Connor

Ball's coffin was adorned with white roses while floral tributes spelled out 'Grandad' and 'Bob'.

Outside the church, a table with a book of condolence had been set up complete with hand sanitiser and a donation box for the Blue Skies Hospital Fund and Lowther Pavilion.

Fans wanting to pay their respects lined the streets outside for the funeral cortege which was scheduled to pass locations such as Blackpool Tower and the Comedy Carpet, a public artwork which features tributes to comedians including Cannon and Ball, later in the afternoon.

The procession was set to end at Carlton Crematorium for a private committal.

Ball's family had already urged well-wishers to stick to social distancing guidelines, according to LancsLive.

“Please, please, please adhere to strict COVID-19 social distancing regulations in place at this time. Please stay safe,” the local publication reports the family said in a statement.

Following Ball’s death, an emotional Cannon remembered his long-time comedy partner and friend.

“It’s a very sad time… and this moment and time, I don’t know where I am. I can’t believe he’s passed away. I can’t make any sense of it yet, I really can’t. I miss him terribly, I loved him to bits. We had a great career," he said.

Explaining how he had learnt of his death, he explained: “I got a phone call from his lovely wife and that was it. It was so quick, but like I say, now he’s at rest. God love him.”

Alongside Cannon, Ball was best known for hosting The Cannon And Ball Show in the late 70s and 80s.

He also appeared in television shows such as Heartbeat, Benidorm and Last of the Summer Wine.

Watch: Tommy Cannon remembers the late Bobby Ball