Not Going Out viewers were left ’emotional’ and in ‘tears’ after watching the late Bobby Ball posthumously appear in the show’s Christmas special on Wednesday.
The comedian, 76, tested positive for coronavirus after being at Blackpool Victoria Hospital with breathing problems and died on 28 October.
Bobby filmed the festive episode and the upcoming 11th series before his death, with fans delighted that they got to see some more of his character Frank.
Emotional: Not Going Out viewers were left in ‘tears’ after watching the late Bobby Ball posthumously appear in the show’s Christmas special on Wednesday
Dozens of fans took to Twitter to praise Bobby’s performance and the show for putting on such a fitting tribute to the legend after the Christmas special aired
Les Dennis penned: ‘Bobby Ball was wonderful in Not Going Out tonight. I did a Would I Lie To You just before he passed. Lee Mack spoke with such affection for him. Miss your huge warmth and talent.’
While another viewer wrote: ‘Burst out crying #notgoingout – great episode. Beautifully written and acted. The #BobbyBall moment of the year’
And someone else said: ‘Another stellar episode of #NotGoingOut tonight. And a fitting tribute to the legend of entertainment Bobby Ball.’
Fitting tribute: Dozens of fans praised the show for airing the episode on Wednesday, saying it was ‘beautifully written’ (pictured Hugh Dennis, Abigail Cruttenden, Lee Mack, Sally Bretton, Geoffrey Whitehead, Deborah Gant and Bobby Ball)
‘Great episode but hitting hard that it was Bobby Ball’s last Christmas Special,’ penned another.
And someone else said: ‘Such a funny man, and so genuine too. Without a doubt the biggest loss of 2020.’
Others praised the team behind the show, saying it was the perfect balance of comedy and also tribute to Bobby
‘Brilliant job @LeeMack and cast, #NotGoingOut on @BBCOne was hilarious, bittersweet to watch the late, great Bobby Ball, but a lovely tribute to him at the end there! That humour was exactly what the Country needed today! Thank you!’
Tributes: Dozens of people remembered Bobby fondly as they praised the show and his stellar acting
And someone else wrote: ‘#notgoingout Christmas special very funny! Didn’t stop laughing! @LeeMack brilliant as always. Just sad to think the wonderful Bobby Ball no longer with us.’
Bobby played Frank in Not Going Out, the troublesome father of Lee (played by Lee Mack), with the actor paying tribute to him following his death.
He said: ‘I’m utterly shocked and devastated to lose my mate Bobby like this. I filmed with him just a few weeks ago and he was his usual funny and cheeky self. My thoughts are with Yvonne and his family and of course Tommy.
‘To get to work with one of my childhood comedy heroes was great. But to call him a friend was even better. Rest In Peace Bobby x’. Ball’s wife Yvonne added: ‘I will always miss him, he was so joyful, full of fun and mischievous.’
Co-stars: Lee Mack (pictured with Sally Bretton on Not Going Out) also paid tribute to Bobby when he died, revealing they only filmed the show weeks before his death
Thank you! Some viewers praised Lee for the ‘lovely tribute’ on Wednesday night
Bobby’s long-time comedy partner Tommy Cannon, 82, also paid tribute to his pal and said: ‘Rock on, my good friend, I can’t believe this, I’m devastated.’ Ball was known for twanging his braces while saying: ‘Rock on, Tommy.’
Cannon later tweeted: ‘I’m absolutely devastated, I’ve lost my partner, my best friend and the funniest man I know. Thank you for your messages, prayers and love.’
Bobby was born Robert Harper on January 28, 1944 and found fame on the The Cannon & Ball Show from 1979 to 1988 opposite his lifelong friend Cannon.
Oldham-born Ball met Cannon, real name Thomas Derbyshire, while he was working in a factory as a welder.
After the success of The Cannon & Ball Show, Ball appeared in a string of TV series including as Lenny in Last Of The Summer Wine from 2005 to 2008.
On screen: The comedian, 76, tested positive for coronavirus after being at Blackpool Victoria Hospital with breathing problems and died on 28 October (pictured in the Christmas special)
Memories: Bobby played Frank in Not Going Out, the troublesome father of Lee (pictured)
He also played Topsy Turner in Heartbeat and appeared in Mount Pleasant, Benidorm and The Cockfields.
In 2012, Ball competed in a Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special.
He also appeared in TV series including Last Of The Summer Wine, Heartbeat, Mount Pleasant, Benidorm, The Cockfields and Not Going Out.
The duo starred together in the films The Boys in Blue 1982 and Mr H Is Late in 1988, and appeared on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2005.
He is survived by two sons, Robert and Darren, with his first wife Joan Lynn, as well as his daughter Joanne with Yvonne Nugent.
The couple, who have been living in Lytham, Lancashire, and have been married for 46 years, have 10 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Comedy partners: Bobby first found fame on the The Cannon & Ball Show from 1979 to 1988 opposite his lifelong friend Tommy Cannon (pictured together in 2013)