Video: Final farewell in Rotherham for Hi-di-Hi star Paul Shane

Actress Su Pollard outside Rotherham Minster after the funeral service of actor Paul Shane.

The former miner, known to millions as Ted Bovis in the 1980s hit television comedy show, died on May 16 after a short illness.

As a clubland comedian and singer - real name George Speight - he was hand-picked for the star role in the comedy, set in holiday camp Maplins, and it became a huge success, running for nine series.

Among the mourners at Rotherham Minster yesterday was Su Pollard, and other members of the cast who remained firm friends until Mr Shane’s death.

Ms Pollard, who played Peggy Ollerenshaw in the show, said: “Every single day he was a laugh.

“I saw him two days before he died and joined the great comics in the sky.

“He was really lucid. His eyes lit up, he was so thrilled to see people that he had worked with and who he considered mates.

“The first thing he said was ‘don’t sit on the bed and squash me’. He was in great spirits right up to the end.

“I’ve written him a lovely card saying ‘Bye de Bye now darling, you’ll always be my special friend’.”

The actress added: “He would call me ‘Four Eyes’ and I would call him ‘No Neck’. You could never see his neck, it was always hidden under his collar.

“When we used to go to dinner after shows he would do singing impressions of people like Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra. He was a Las Vegas entertainer at heart.

“We were fortunate enough to have all our laughs with him all those years. Any sadness we might feel is put on the back burner.

“We’re just here to say ‘Ta ra babe, thanks for everything’. So there’s definitely an up feeling rather than doom and gloom.”

The Vicar of Rotheram, the Rev David Bliss, who conducted the service, said: “For many people, myself included, we look back to Hi-De-Hi.

“I can remember sitting in front of the television watching him and laughing with them all.

“Then there was the other side of Paul’s life, the fact that he not only thought the world of his family but he loved and thought about people in general. He cared for them, he remembered them.”

Mr Bliss ended the service with a “Hi-de-Hi” and 500 mourners roared back: “Ho-de-Ho!”

Mr Shane leaves behind his three daughters and six grandchildren.