Frank Sidebottom creator dies

Chris Sievey, the musical comedian who created the freakish alter ego Frank Sidebottom, has died after collapsing at his Manchester home.

The 54-year-old was pronounced dead at Wythenshawe Hospital.

The character of Sidebottom was known for his over-sized, cartoon-like papier-mache head and performing parodies of popular hits in his Mancunian twang.

His was frequently seen on television and heard on the radio during the ’80s. He fell into obscurity in the following decade but made a comeback in 2005 and landed his own show on digital television.

The character of Frank Sidebottom was created as a gimmick to promote Sievey’s 1970s punk band The Freshies.

Read more about Chris Sievey’s career on his tribute page.