A complete stranger to Freddie Starr has offered to pay for the comedian's funeral.
Sheffield-based funeral director Michael Fogg will cover the costs of his burial for his bereaved family, who have "taken up" the generous offer.
Mr Fogg said he extended the hand of friendship to the family of the comedy legend, who was set to be buried a 'pauper, because "he should be buried with people who love him".
He said plans were now in motion to bring Freddie's body home from Spain, where the former I'm A Celebrity campmate died from a heart attack on May 9, aged 76.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo on why he made the decision to help, Mr Fogg said: "Anyone that can make a funeral director laugh must be a bloody good comedian.
"And Freddie Starr could make me laugh.
"For those asking why I am paying, well it is my money, it is my business and that is what I want to spend my money on.
"He should be back with the people he loved and back with his family.
"He shouldn't be buried in foreign land, he should be brought back to be in his own country."
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It was thought Freddie may be buried in Spain but a post on his official Facebook page, which is now being managed by his management, confirmed the star would be laid to rest at home.
The post read: "Freddie Starr is to be buried by his beloved mum in Liverpool.
"His estranged family have decided to fly his body from Spain, ending fears the penniless comic would end up in a pauper’s grave on the Costa del Sol.
"He will be laid to rest alongside Hilda at the family plot in the city’s Huyton area."
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Mr Fogg said the response to his offer has been "phenomenal" after he posted the offer on his official business page.
He said: "The response has been amazing and just shows how much people loved this legend.
"I think it is a shame that he wasn't given a life time achievement award.
"Freddie Starr was much loved by the people in this country and he deserves a proper send off."
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The comedian was known by fans for his eccentric and often unpredictable behaviour, rising to national prominence in the early 1970s after appearing on Opportunity Knocks.
Mr Fogg said that plans were in place and had been started on Monday morning, following the accepted offer of his help.
He said: "These things do take time. Repatriation takes time and there is a lot of things to sort out.
"This won't be a small funeral."
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