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Frank Sidebottom dies after collapsing at home - Manchester Evening News Comedy legend Frank Sidebottom has died after he was found collapsed at his home in Hale. The comedian, whose real name was Chris Sievey, was recovering from an operation to remove a tumour from his chest. Chris started out as a musician in the 1970s and created the character Frank Sidebottom, known for an outsized papier-mache head, as a music fan from Timperley who followed his band The Freshies. The character became increasingly popular and Chris put together a stand-up comedy routine which was performed entirely in character as Frank Sidebottom. He went on to become a regular on TV and had his own show, Frank Sidebottom's Fantastic Shed Show on ITV. He also performed on radio shows including Piccadilly Radio, where Chris Evans was his driver, and on the BBC with Mark Radcliffe and Marc Riley. Last month it emerged that he had been diagnosed with cancer and was facing an operation to remove a tumour from his chest. But he carried on working and only last week he launched a comedy song for the World Cup, titled Three Shirts On My Line. Chris posted a message on his Twitter account on Sunday morning saying: "I'm still feeling very poorly". Mr Sievey was found collapsed at his home in Hawthorn Road, Hale, by his girlfriend and she called an ambulance at 12.40 am on Monday. It is understood he was still alive when the ambulance arrived and he was taken to Wythenshawe Hospital but he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards. Wythenshawe Hospital confirmed Chris died in the early hours. A spokesman said a post-mortem examination was due to be carried out to determine the exact cause of his death. Mark Alston, 34, a close friend for many years who helped organise Chris’s appearances as Frank Sidebottom, said: “It is just really awful. I just feel in shock. He was a big comedy name in Greater Manchester – one of the biggest. He was also a musical genius and a good friend to many. He was a legend in the region and will be missed. “He was carrying on performing right until the end. He was saying that he was going to get shut of the cancer and not to cancel any more bookings. “He had a massive group of friends and associates. He influenced and brought happiness to thousands of people.” Related articles: Frank Sidebottom is fighting cancer Frank thanks fans for messages of support Frank Sidebottom sketches the bald truth for charity