His friend and biographer Mike Ulyatt recalled a meeting between Collier and Eric Sykes, in which Sykes commented "we are the last of the Vaudevillians in this country".

BBC: Comedian Norman Collier dies aged 87

In his letter to the DCLG secretary of state Eric Pickles, Mr Sykes said that "some form of intervention will be required for at least another year and possibly longer".

BBC: Mansion House, Doncaster