TRIBUTES have flowed for Timperley comedian Frank Sidebottom who has died at the age of 54.

The off-the-wall performer had been battling throat cancer and his death was announced on Monday.

Promoter John Marshall remembers booking Frank for the legendary Buzz comedy club in Chorlton and said he was a true original.

The funnyman always performed wearing a large papier-mache head.

“I don’t know how he first came across the idea of that head but it was a great idea. Another great thing about him was that he was always singing up for Timperley. He was always true to the area - in the same way that Peter Kay’s true to Bolton,” he said.

Frank - real name Chris Sievey - was also a keen supporter of Altrincham FC and Graham Rowley, the club’s vice-chairman told SAM: “He was well known in the area and he’s a great loss to the local community. He’s done a lot for local people.”

The Robins also paid tribute to Frank in a statement on the club’s official website.

It reads: “Altrincham FC sends its condolences to the family and friends of local comedian Frank Sidebottom. His comic songs featured Altrincham FC on numerous occasions and his eccentric form of humour will be much missed by his many dedicated fans.”

As Frank Sidebottom, his career spanned more than 25 years and his comedy sidekick was a hand puppet known as Little Frank.

Mrs Merton, played by comedienne Caroline Aherne, started her career on his Radio Timperley broadcasts.

Chris was also a member of Manchester punk band The Freshies in the late 70s and their records included the cult classic I'm In Love With The Girl On A Certain Manchester Megastore Checkout Desk.

Last month an upbeat Frank Sidebottom gave an interview to Messenger and vowed to carry on working while in the grip of his illness.