He had a successful operation for stomach cancer last year, but has been suffering from ill health for some time. His family say he passed away at home in Blackpool.

They celebrated Carson saying that the, “husband, father, Gaga and comedian set off for his final gig today".

"It's quieter down here now. God help them up there!"

Carson shot to prominence in the 1960s, winning Opportunity Knocks, and was famed for his appearances on 1970s TV series The Comedians, alongside the likes of Mike Reid, Roy Walker and Bernard Manning.

He was most known for his quips, leading to Spike Milligan to joke: "What's the difference between Frank Carson and the M1? You can turn off the M1."

Carson was born the son of a binman in Belfast in 1926. Of Italian descent, he grew up in the Little Italy area of the city.

After three years of military service in the Middle East, Carson returned and embarked on a career in entertainment.

Pope John Paul II knighted Carson into the order of St Gregory in 1987, in recognition of his charity work back home.

TV presenter Eamonn Holmes, a close friend, paid tribute to Carson, saying:  "The term legend is often overused - but Frank Carson was a legend and we will never ever see his likes again.”