Tributes have been paid to a much-loved Black Country comedian who died suddenly hours after returning home from holiday.

Tony Palmer, of Halesowen, had been keeping audiences laughing around clubs and pubs in the Midlands for the last 30 years.

The 67-year-old father of one died suddenly from a heart attack at Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley on Friday May 18, shortly after returning from a holiday in Greece.

Tony's heartbroken wife Anne said tributes had poured in from around the world, from friends and fellow performers as far afield as America and Spain.

She said she and the couple's son 24-year-old James were devastated at Tony's death after a two-week break on the island of Kos.

Anne, who acted as Tony's manager, said: "Tony was larger than life and very outgoing. He kept everyone around him laughing and was really popular and very well-known, most of his work was around the Midlands.

"It was a big shock - we got back from holiday on Thursday morning at 8.15am and he was gone Friday teatime.

"We are all devastated. He had been poorly before but he always used to get better - we expected the same again.

"I have been inundated with phone calls from people as far away as America and Spain and army pals from years ago."

Tony, who was a keen golfer and member of Sandwell Park Golf Club took part in celebrity tournaments helping raise thousands of pounds for charities. Tony did national service in Belize and kept in touch with many of his army pals.

He began his career as lead singer with local band Digger and the Diggermen before becoming a stand-up comedian, going on to appear on TV's New Faces.

The funeral will be at Halesowen Parish Church on Wednesday May 30 at 10.30am, followed by a private committal.