Trevor's goal is Jasper's do

Sep 11 2007 By Alison Dayani, Birmingham Mail

BLUES footballing legend Trevor Francis could be jetting back to Birmingham to see a celebrity pal receive the city's top showbiz accolade.

Francis has told Jasper Carrott he is hoping to fly in from his home in Spain for the comedian's induction into Broad Street's Walk of Stars on Saturday.

The former Blues manager and star striker, now 53, is firm friends with Carrott, an avid City fan.

But Carrott's actress daughter, Lucy Davis, will be unable to make the celebration.

Carrott said: "Lucy is working in LA, but I hope Trevor Francis will be able to make it from Spain for the night."

Carrott, born Bob Davies, will become the second celebrity Brummie to be honoured with his own Hollywood-style star in Birmingham's golden mile.

Birmingham Mail readers have inundated us with their tales about the 62-year-old comedian, originally from Acocks Green.

Joyce Smith, aged 75, from Olton, said the comedian regularly came into Barclays Bank, in Sparkhill, when he was just emerging as a star.

"My daughter, Annette Dolan, worked at the bank and one time Jasper asked everyone there to support him in a football match at the Blues' former training ground in Elmdon," said Joyce.

"We all went along and it was obvious he was heading for big things.

"He was always larking around and knew how to grab everyone's attention.

"In the middle of the game, Jasper raised his hand, stopped everything and ran over to a woman who had a cup of coffee. He took a sip, did a sigh of relief, and shouted, 'OK folks, now we can carry on'."

Former van drivers at Kearly and Tongue, in Digbeth, recalled Carrott, then nicknamed Reg, working there as a salesman.

"He would tell his jokes to anyone in the weighbridge booking office," said 67-year-old Colin Mills, from Chelmsley Wood.

"I think we were his warm up audience for his night job as Jasper Carrott. He definitely deserves this honour."