NOT many people get to perform at their own funeral, but this wasn’t a mournful, black-clothed occasion – it was the finale of the Charlie Daze Show.
A month after his death at the age of 86, family and friends gathered at St Martin’s Church for a fitting celebration of a man for whom “make ’em laugh” was a lifelong vocation.
Billed as “a loving family man, friend to many, football ambassador and entertainer”, Mr Daze – who was born Charles Anthony Douglas and lived in Jersey for the last 33 years of his life – was the star of the show in front of a large crowd.
Just as he had when entertaining Princess Margaret at the 1980 Royal Gala Performance and performing to audiences at Jersey venues like the Watersplash and the Inn on the Park in the 1970s and ’80s, Mr Daze drew near-constant laughter – and a fair few tears – as the final curtain prepared to drop.
The show featured recollections on Mr Daze’s showbiz career from Olaf Blakeley, who worked as an illusionist as part of a supporting cast for star comedians like Billy Connolly, Bob Monkhouse and Bobby Davro in the 1990s.
Daniel Craven paid tribute to his friend’s ability to encourage and nurture young footballers, drawing on his own brief experience as a pro player with Portadown FC in Northern Ireland, where he spent his childhood after moving from Scotland at the age of two.
Young participants at the Charlie Daze Soccer Schools – set up after he moved permanently to Jersey with his wife Patrice – typically came across as a motley bunch on their first day, but “by the time they reached their fourth or fifth session they’d be playing like Barcelona”, Mr Craven said.
The service was conducted jointly by the Rev Pete Stone, Rector of St Martin, and the Rev Jeff Wattley, Vicar of St Martin de Gouray.
Carl, Scott and Ryan Douglas stood together to pay tribute to their father, describing a legacy that included telling jokes in his sleep and his three-year-old grand-daughter developing a knack for magic tricks.
But there was no doubting who was top of the bill. This was the Charlie Daze Show, and the audience chuckled as a series of his rapid one-liners were relayed over loud speakers.
In addition to those attending in person at the church, and raising a glass at the Royal pub afterwards, the show was streamed to allow those who couldn’t get to Jersey – largely in the UK and Ireland – to enjoy it.
Prayers and hymns were interspersed with musical numbers from the man himself, with the finale being a rousing version of Danny Boy that drew an extended round of applause – and some light dabbing of the eyes – as the coffin left the stage.
