Bobby Ball • Tommy Cannon • The Cannon and Ball Show • Corona virus

Tommy Cannon pays tribute to Bobby Ball and confirms they planned Christmas gig

Comedian Tommy Cannon has paid tribute to his friend and comedy partner Bobby Ball who died at the age of 76 after a Covid-19 diagnosis

(Image: GETTY)

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Entertainer Tommy Cannon has paid tribute to his late comedy partner Bobby Ball.

The comedian, 82, has shared his grief following the news of his professional partner Ball having died yesterday at the age of 76.

Speaking to Andrew Neil on Times Radio's The Andrew Neil Show, Tommy paid tribute to his late friend and colleague.

Andrew noted how Tommy has such a legacy of stories of his time with Bobby.

Tommy responded: "Oh yeah and I’m so glad I have. I can’t tell you about how we started and we ummed and ahhhed about how we weren't making any money."

He added: "It's just been a fantastic trip."

Tommy Cannon has paid tribute to his long-running comedy partner Bobby Ball, who died last night in hospital (Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Tragically, Tommy noted: "I still wish he was here with me and talking about it."

Andrew also asked about the pair's plans to perform this Christmas before Bobby's death, which Tommy confirmed, noting, sadly, that it was "not meant to be".

The comedian also revealed how he hopes Bobby is looking down on him now.

Tommy mused: "I just hope he’s up there now with all his pals who have passed away and had a great time and looked down saying 'Tommy, rock on pal'."

British comedy duo Tommy Cannon (left) and Bobby Ball had a long running clear which Cannon has now reflected on (Image: Popperfoto via Getty Images)

Andrew questions Tommy on whether the two were as close off-stage as they were when performing together.

The comic confirmed: "Oh yeah. That was me and Bob. We always got on. Yeah, of course, there were times. It’s like a marriage, of course we fell out.

"We always liked one another even if we weren't working."

Tommy surmised: "57 years of working together has been absolutely fantastic."

He also told ITV News: "I keep thinking he's going to be calling me any minute now and deep down I know that he's not."

In a statement earlier today, Bobby's death was confirmed as having occurred at 9.30pm last night after being rushed to hospital with breathing problems and being diagnosed with Covid-19.

Tommy says he hopes Bobby is looking down on him now (Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

His wife Yvonne said: "I will always miss him, he was so joyful, full of fun and mischievous."

Meanwhile, Tommy had previously said in a statement: "Rock on, my good friend, I can't believe this, I'm devastated.

He said: "I'm absolutely devastated, I've lost my partner, my best friend and the funniest man I know.

"Thank you for your messages, prayers and love".

Phil Dale, Bobby's manager, said: "Bobby was a true comedy star who loved entertaining people and he loved life itself. I spoke to him every day and it would always end in laughter."

Tributes have poured in from across the showbiz world for Bobby (right) (Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Cannon and Ball had also appeared on the 2005 series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!

The show's hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly tweeted of Bobby's passing: ""So sad to hear of the passing of Bobby Ball, one of my absolute favourite performers growing up and one of our favourite ever camp mates on I'm a Celebrity. Rest In Peace Bobby."

read://https_www.irishmirror.ie/