DEREK HAUGHTON was a popular entertainer who performed in theatres nationwide.

The 72-year-old collapsed after coming off stage at St John’s Church, Lepton, on May 9 and died the next day following a brain haemorrhage.

He has appeared on radio, television and film, but mainly performed in theatres. He was well-known by many Huddersfield theatre fans.

Derek was born in 1937 in Wakefield, where he lived his whole life.

He was the fourth child of eight who were looked after by his mother after his father’s death when he was aged eight.

He joined the army at 18, living in Cyprus for a year, and rose to the rank of corporal.

Earlier this year he was presented with a Home Veterans medal by his MP and Schools Minister Ed Balls.

He became involved in amateur dramatics in his 40s through his two brothers, becoming involved with the Horbury Pageant Players.

He joined the Wakefield West Riding Operatic Society, performing frequently at Wakefield’s Theatre Royal and throughout Yorkshire.

Derek worked mainly in comedy roles and took his interpretation of Jimmy James’ “It’s in the box” sketch around the country with his two “stooges” David Broome and Keith Lowe.

He appeared as a pantomime dame and produced some local pantos and many fundraising concerts.

He also appeared in Barnsley playwright John Kelly’s version of the original Biblical tales The Mystery Plays, as a drunken Noah and was just about to begin rehearsals for a new staging of the plays alongside Patrick Stewart at the Monk Bretton Priory this summer.

More than 200 people attended Derek’s funeral on May 19, where the musical group Miscellany, who he frequently sang alongside, gave a performance.

A tribute concert is being arranged by his fellow artists to take place on October 11 in Barnsley’s Lamproom Theatre. It will be a mixture of music and comedy.

Derek leaves partner Carole, his partner since the death of his wife Mavis in 1995, his son Stuart, his grandchildren Paul, 13, and David, 9, and Carole’s grandchildren Zoe, 15, and Matthew, 11, who considered him their “honorary” grandfather.