Post by Stan Butler on May 10, 2007 17:38:35 GMT
COMEDIAN Bernard Manning has laughed off being placed fifth on a list of famous people expected to die soon.
The controversial comic is named on a bad taste website called Coffindodgers, which allows gamblers to place bets on when old or unwell household names will pass on.
Albert Hofmann, the 101-year-old scientist who invented the mind-altering drug LSD, tops the list. The reason given for his placing is `age-related'.
In second place is hell-raising snooker legend Alex Higgins, followed by US actor Andy Griffith and former Israeli premier Ariel Sharon.
Bernard, 76, said: "I'm not offended in the least - in fact, I'm surprised I'm at number five because I've always been number one at everything else. Then again, I hope I prove everybody wrong and defy the odds like I have done up until now.
"People ask me what my secret is and I tell them, good family life, good friends and lots of laughter."
As revealed in the M.E.N. in January, Bernard, from Blackley, has been working with Channel 4 on a film about the preparations for his funeral - to be shown when he dies.
He's chosen his coffin and final resting place and on Saturday will attend his own wake.
A host of showbiz friends, including boxer Ricky Hatton and comedians Roy Chubby Brown and Frank Carson, will be among the 600 guests attending the bash at the Hilton Hotel to pay tribute to Bernard - who will be the guest of honour.
Coffindodgers is run by Peter Mundy from Kearsley, Bolton. The site invites punters to pay £12.75 to take part in their `online death sweepstake'. It then randomly selects a `coffindodger' from the list and emails the customer with their name. If that person dies the gambler collects a sweepstake of £400.
