Final farewell to comedian Frank Carson

Friends and Family carry the coffin of comedian Frank Carson through the streets of Belfast after a funeral mass at St Patrick's Catholic Church (AP)

The funeral of the comedian Frank Carson took place yesterday in his home city of Belfast. Showbusiness figures from Britain and Ireland attended the requiem mass at St Patrick's Church.

Carson, 85, who died last month at home in Blackpool, Lancashire, had been ill for some time. The broadcaster Eamonn Holmes, comedians Lenny Henry, Stan Boardman and Roy Walker, sportsmen Dennis Taylor, Barry McGuigan and Pat Jennings, and the singer Dana were among the congregation. The Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Martin McGuinness, was among the politicians present.

The service was led by the retired bishop of Derry, Edward Daly, who knew Carson for 50 years. He described him as an "extraordinarily generous and compassionate" man.