“It’s a real honour,” said Ben Twiston-Davies, a 49-year-old from Hertfordshire who has fond memories of watching Bobby and his long-time comedy partner Tommy Cannon on TV in Cannon and Ball’s heyday.
“I’ve been described as the artist commissioned to produce the statue but it was Bobby who was the artist and it is up to me to relay that in the statue.
“The thing about Bobby was that he wasn’t just a deliverer of funny lines - he was a funny man through and through, a genuinely comedic figure who could instantly bring smiles to faces. If that isn’t crying out for a statue, I don’t know what is.”
Most Popular
-
1
Driver caught 'snoring merrily away' on the M6 near Bamber Bridge with full-beam headlights and engine running
-
2
Leyland residents claim they are paying grounds maintenance fees to make it look "worse"
-
3
M6 to close overnight to allow two bridges damaged by vehicle strikes to be repaired
-
4
Lanes reopen after car crash on M6 brings Preston motorway traffic to a halt with severe delays expected
-
5
Fulwood flasher wearing balaclava leaves mum and her seven-year-old daughter feeling 'shaken up'
Fund-raising for the statue, to be placed in Lowther Gardens, Lytham, and with a target of £100,000, is still ongoing but a spokesman for Fylde Council, which is jointly co-ordinating the statue appeal with the Lowther Trust, said there is a clause in place which allows work to start immediately on the initial stage production of a small replica statue which will act as the quality benchmark for the full statue production.
The stage one figure will be reviewed and approved by the Ball family and other stakeholders before the project moves to stage two.
Bobby’s family have given a very specific brief of how the statue should look – life size, based on Bobby’s 40th birthday appearance with a ‘twinkle in his eye’, one leg slightly forward and slightly pulling on his right brace with his right thumb – and Ben very much welcomes the detail.
“I much prefer it that way - far better than a vague idea or no specifics, as has been the case with some previous commissions,” said the sculptor.
“The braces are of course a vital ingredient – and I have some ideas for those.”
It is thanks to our loyal readers that we can continue to provide the trusted news, analysis and insight that matters to you. For unlimited access to our unrivalled local reporting, you can take out a subscription here and help support the work of our dedicated team of reporters.
Support us and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest football stories and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe