Freddie Starr laid to rest in a coffin engraved with 'Return to Sender' in Merseyside funeral

Mourners remembered the late comedian Freddie Starr as he was laid to rest in Merseyside on Thursday.

The comedian, who died aged 76 last month, was remembered in a service at Prescot Parish Church, weeks after his death.

His coffin was engraved with the words “Liverpool Legend” on one side and “Return to Sender” on the other. Elvis Presley track Don't played as the coffin was carried into the church.

The late performer often appeared on stage as a Presley impersonator, with Return to Sender one of the songs he covered on a 1981 tribute album.

Starr was found dead at his home in Spain on May 10. A post-mortem later recorded a death of natural causes, specifically relating to ischemic heart disease.

Tributes poured in as the sad news broke, with actor Bobby Davro leading the social media charge.

He wrote: “I've just heard that Freddie Starr has died. He was the funniest man I have ever seen. I'm so sad we have lost one of our greatest comedy talents. RIP Freddie.”

Davro later told Good Morning Britain that he believes he could have been one of the last people to talk to Starr, having called him while over in Spain.

“I got in touch with him, I found his number and phoned him up,” he said. “At first he didn't really feel like talking and called me back.

“He said, 'How you doing Bob' and I said, 'Alright, how are you Freddie? Would you like to meet up for a cup of tea? I'm in town.' And he said, 'No, I've not been too well'.

Fans also lined the streets around the church to pay their final respects to Starr, some wearing t-shirts with his face on.