ITV to air Bobby Ball tribute
- Rock On, Tommy: The Bobby Ball Story will be broadcast on ITV on Sunday 15th November at 5:30pm
- The half-hour tribute to the actor and comedian, who died last week, will be narrated by his double-act partner
- Tommy Cannon says: "I'm so pleased that ITV are going to mark his career with this celebration"
ITV is to broadcast Rock On, Tommy: The Bobby Ball Story, a documentary narrated by the late comedian's double-act partner, Tommy Cannon.
The commission follows on from the death of the comedian and actor, who died last week of coronavirus.
The new half-hour show will be broadcast on ITV on Sunday 15th November at 5:30pm.
The channel confirms: "In this tribute to one of Britain's most popular entertainers, friends, family and co-stars celebrate the life and work of comedian and actor Bobby Ball, who died recently.
"From his career as half as one of the nation's favourite double acts - Cannon & Ball - to his appearances in series like Benidorm, Not Going Out and I'm A Celebrity....Get Me Out Of Here!, this is the story of how a factory welder from Oldham went on to become one of the most loved stars on British television.
"The documentary, bringing together clips from some of Bobby's most celebrated TV moments with stories from those who knew him best, is narrated by the man who shared the limelight with Bobby Ball for 57 years - Tommy Cannon."
Speaking to The Mirror, Cannon said: "I'm heartbroken to have lost my best pal and comedy partner, but I'm so pleased that ITV are going to mark his career with this celebration - it will be nostalgic and emotional for all of us who knew Bobby, and for all the fans out there who felt like they did."
Mark Robinson from Wise Owl Films, the production company putting together the programme, says: "Bobby Ball's TV career spanned an incredible seven decades. Some viewers still fondly remember classic moments from the 1970s and 80s when Bobby brought a new type of comedy to our screens, alongside Tommy.
"A new generation might know him better as a fine actor, in shows like Not Going Out and Mount Pleasant.
"Bobby's story is an incredible one and we're honoured to have been asked to make this tribute to one of Britain's most loved and most versatile entertainers".