'He was my world': Tributes paid to much-loved Black Country comedian
Tributes have been paid to a much-loved Black Country comedian and former naval engineer who has died at the age of 76.
Norman Darby, who was a regular on the Black Country comedy circuit for decades and was best known by his stage name Chris O Dell, died on March 10 after a short battle with cancer.
He grew up in Tipton and served in the Royal Navy on HMS Ark Royal and HMS Eagle, before taking up comedy in the 1970s.
Mr O Dell developed a passion for boxing at a young age and won a series of trophies while in the navy. As a comedian he appeared on Granada Television's The Comedians and went on to perform at boxing dinners around the country.
His daughter Kym, from Netherton, said: "He spent his last few days at Mary Stevens Hospice. Even in the final stages of illness he was always playing jokes, telling some of his funny memories to the nurses and other patients.
"He was my world. His motto was 'keep em laffin' and right until the end he did just that."
Mr O Dell was part of the 1970s Black Country comedy duo The Brothers St John with Walsall funnyman Dennis Wainwright.
Cannock boxing promoter and former fighter Ron Gray was a long time friend of Mr O Dell, having first met him in the early 1980s.
Mr Gray said Mr O Dell became his 'go-to man' for comedy, such was his popularity with the crowds, and appeared at events he hosted at Wolverhampton's Park Hall and Birmingham's Albany Hotel among dozens of other venues. He always had the crowds laughing and as far as entertainers go he was one of the best," said Mr Gray.
Mr O Dell's funeral will take place at Rowley Regis crematorium on March 24 at 3.15 pm. A wake will be held at the Lyttleton Arms, Hagley.
