HE may have famously reduced the Queen Mother to tears of laughter in his heyday but a memorial concert for Dudley comedian Billy Dainty will be an emotional night for his family.
The son of the legendary comic has hailed a fundraising concert Our Boy Bill' to be held at Dudley Concert Hall on Sunday January 21 as "absolutely fantastic".
The mouthwatering night of music, magic, comedy and chat will feature performances from household names including Roy Hudd, Jimmy Cricket and the Betty Fox Dancers.
A blue plaque will also be placed in the foyer of the Dudley Concert Hall during a ceremony at 6pm on the night of the concert.
Billy (pictured right) was born in the town in 1927 and died in 1986 aged 59 of prostate cancer.
Son Larry, aged 44, who will be at the charity show, said: "It's going to be a cracking night. It's really going to be fantastic.
"The plaque is a permanent tribute and recognises him as a comic.
"He used to always be a bubbly character. He was always having a laugh and playing a few practical jokes and was tremendous fun.
"Being brought up in showbusiness I got to see the good things and the hard work that my dad had to do."
Larry, who lives in London, recalls fond childhood memories of Christmas time visiting Dudley and being "covered in snow" while his dad performed in pantomime.
During his star-studded career Billy performed at four Royal Variety Performances and shared the stage with greats including Morecambe and Wise, Cliff Richard and Rod Hull and Emu.
Kingswinford councillor Dave Tyler, who is organising the tribute night, said: "Billy Dainty was always proud to tell everybody he was from Dudley. He was extremely proud of his roots.
"He never lost his Black Country humour in his acts.
"He portrays what Dudley is about - he was very loved, a great laugh."
Tickets for the show, sponsored by Dudley Building Society, are priced £9 and are available by calling 01384 812812 or by visiting the website www.dudley.gov.uk/entertainment.
All proceeds will go to the Georgina Ward at Russells Hall Hospital and entertainment charity The Grand Order of Water Rats.
To sponsor the concert call Dave Tyler on 01384 292340 or email cllr.dave.tyler@dudley.gov.uk.
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