Express & Star

IN PICTURES: Crowd in fits of laughter for tribute show to Black Country legend Tommy Mundon

It may have been bittersweet but there was still plenty of hearty loffs as more than 700 fans paid their respects to Black Country comedy legend Tommy Mundon at a concert held in his honour.

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People packed into the funnyman's favourite venue, Brierley Hill Civic Hall, for the event, which was organised by the late comic's friends in the show-business community.

Alongside paying tribute to Tommy, who died last year, the sell-out concert was also held to raise funds for Stourbridge's Mary Stevens Hospice, which cared for the comedian in his last days.

And officials from the charity said it had been a 'significant' event with 750 tickets sold. It is expected to raise in excess of £10,000 for the hospice.

Among the acts who took to the stage were Alan 'Aynuk' Smith, Barry Smith, Marlene, Maggie O'Hara and Doug Parker.

They had shared the stage with Tommy in the past and said the show was a 'bittersweet experience' as, in other circumstances, the comic would have been with them.

Members of Tommy's family, including his wife Val, also attended the event.

Compère Mel Thomas got the show started with a tribute to the comic - and during the concert told some of Tommy's best known and loved gags.

Speaking at the concert Mrs Mundon said: "The whole family misses Tom more than words can say.

"For myself and all his family and friends who are coping with his loss we take enormous comfort knowing the level of support and care he received at the hospice.

"I just want to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported this event. This was a marvellous and very fitting tribute to Tom.

"He always loved the civic hall and played here many times over the years. It was always to full capacity and enthusiastic audiences. It was his favourite venue."

Mrs Mundon said the concert was originally scheduled to take place at Dudley Concert Hall but had been moved following problems with the ceiling at that venue.

"I've been telling people I think Tom had a hand in that so the concert could be held here in Brierley HIll instead," she said.

Singer Maggie O'Hara, who alongside performing also helped to organise the event, said: "I asked Val if she wanted us to organise something as a thank you to the hospice.

"Everyone is delighted with the success of the show. It has been a great tribute to Tommy and the number of people here show the esteem he was held in.

"For us performing has been a bittersweet experience because he would have been here with us - not only making audiences laugh but us behind the scenes as well.

"He will be be much missed."

Spokesman for Mary Stevens Hospice Charlotte Schofield, who also helped to organise the concert, said: "It has been a huge night for the hospice and we are very grateful to Tommy's family for allowing the event to go ahead.

"Everyone has had a wonderful time."

Tommy, one of the stars of the Black Country Night Out, died last year at the age of 80 following a long battle against Parkinson's Disease.

He was a stalwart of the comedy circuit for more than 50 years.

People started arriving at the venue more than an hour before the concert was due to begin.

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