Bobby Ball death: Not Going Out fans remember comedian’s scene-stealing role as Frank

The best moments of Bobby Ball, who formed half of the double act Cannon and Ball, are being remembered after  the comedian dies, aged 76.

Ball had recently been admitted to hospital with respiratory problems, and tested positive for coronavirus.

Tributes have poured in for the late comedian, with many celebrating his long-running partnership with Tommy Cannon.

However, many other homages focused on his work on scripted TV, particularly his scene-stealing turn in the BBC sitcom Not Going Out.

In Not Going Out, Ball played Frank, the father of Lee (Lee Mack). After first making a guest appearance in 2009, Ball went on to appear in a further 16 episodes of the series.

“Last month I got to be at a live recording of Not Going Out,” recalled one Twitter user. “It was the first sitcom to be filmed with an audience since March.

“Bobby Ball was still cracking jokes between takes & telling lovely stories about his wife.  Such a comedy legend and a genuinely sweet man. RIP.”

“Not Going Out will never be the same again!” wrote one fan on social media.

“[Ball was] brilliant in Not Going Out as Lee Mack’s dad, the world has lost a comical genius,” wrote another.

“Really enjoyed his comeback on Lee Mack’s Not Going Out,” wrote someone else, adding that Ball “stole the show even from Tim Vine”.

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