TRIBUTES have been paid to legendary comic Norman Wisdom, who has died aged 95.

Sir Norman was a regular visitor to Oxfordshire, appearing in pantomime, opening supermarkets and even punting along the River Thames.

Last night people in the county who met and performed with the comic said he was a “true original”.

And the Oxford Mail dug into its archives to find pictures from his colourful visits to the county.

Sir Norman died on Monday at a care home in the Isle of Man.

Angela Humphrey, from Didcot, performed with Sir Norman in the 1950s.

Under her stage name Annette Rees the 81-year-old, who lives at Meadows Care home, appeared on BBC television as part of the corps de ballet in weekly live shows from Empress Hall, in London.

Her husband, Peter Humphrey, said: “Angela is devastated. She immensely enjoyed her time performing with Sir Norman and she has always said what a gentlemen he was.

“He was a very funny man and a true original.”

The star, who began his film career in 1948, wore his trademark cloth cap and ill-fitting suit in more than 20 movies.

He was perhaps best known for playing Norman Pitkin, a clumsy worker who clashed constantly with boss Mr Grimsdale.

In 1983, Sir Norman played Robinson Crusoe’s brother in pantomime at Oxford’s Apollo Theatre – now the New Theatre, in George Street.

Ten years later he returned to the same stage for a solo show, despite officially retiring in 1990.

Oxford Mail photographer Dave Fleming was on hand to see Sir Norman – then in his mid-seventies – open a supermarket in Wantage in 1989.

He said: “We were trying to think of how to compose an interesting photo when he spotted a six-foot wall behind him.

“As quick as a flash he nimbly climbed the wall and posed up before jumping off. He didn’t think twice.”

In 2002, Wisdom was guest of honour at a reunion organised by 23 Pioneer Regiment of the Royal Logistical Corps, in Bicester.

Sir Norman’s family said: “Over the past six months Norman has sustained a series of strokes causing a general decline in both his physical and mental health.

“He had maintained a degree of independence until a few days ago.

“However, over the last few days his condition rapidly declined. He was in no pain or distress and peacefully passed over.”