Bernard Manning

He compèred The Wheeltappers and Shunters Social Club which began in 1974. Admitted two weeks earlier for a kidney complaint Manning died in North Manchester General Hospital at 3:10 pm on Monday 18 June 2007 at the age of 76. Manning's detractors criticised his style of humour with television presenter Esther Rantzen commenting “For me he’s always been the villain of comedy.

" Manning became famous on British television during the 1970s appearing on shows including The Comedians and The Wheeltappers and Shunters Social Club. Bernard John Manning (13 August 1930 – 18 June 2007) was an English comedian and nightclub owner. You never take a joke seriously.