“Stand down, Ma’am. Thank you for everything”

Jim Davidson paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II as he performed live on stage just hours after our beloved monarch died.

The star asked the audience in advance of the show if they would prefer it to be deferred to a later date, but was told they wanted it to still go ahead.

He altered his performance, at The Play House in Weston-super-Mare, to honour our Queen.

He said: “I wanted it to be their decision, whether we went ahead with the show or not.

“They said they wanted some laughter after the awful news. 

“Everyone was united. It was like being part of a family, talking and laughing, remembering a loved one.”

In a personal tribute to the Queen, he said: “Rest well, your Majesty. Your duty is done.

“Stand down Ma’am and thank you from a grateful nation and a fat old comedian.

“Philip will greet you and once again be your rock, as you have been ours.”

Jim’s show at Torquay’s Babbacombe Theatre, supported by Miles Crawford, will go ahead as planned tonight.