Time to honour Pete (From Warrington Guardian)

Time to honour Pete

I want to dedicate this week's column to Pete McCarthy, who died last month aged 51.

His real name was Peter Charles McCarthy Robinson. He took the name McCarthy - his mother's maiden name - when he became a comedian, as there was already a Peter Robinson on Equity's books.

Besides his brilliantly funny travel books, he compered at London's Comedy Store, wrote for Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones, and presented Channel Four's Travelog.

Family and friends celebrated his life with a special church service and show, An Evening Without Pete McCarthy, in Brighton, his adopted home, last weekend.

Among those present were his parents, Kenneth and Margaret Robinson, who live in Warrington, brother Paul and sisters Catherine and Patricia, poet Roger McGough, comic and travel writer Tony Hawks and Travelog producer Richard Lightbody.

Also there was David Whittle, of Lymm, one of Pete's closest friends.

"There was much raucous laughter, mixed with seriousness. Pretty much like Pete's writing," says David, who was in the year below him at West Park School, St Helens.

"We stayed close. I went to his 21st in Leicester, when he was at university."

According to Pete's sister Patricia, Pete achieved a first in combined arts, and his English marks were among the highest the university had ever had. So high were they, in fact, that staff re-marked all the other students' papers to make sure.

"We all knew he was a clever lad, but he kept that quiet," says David.

When Warrington Collegiate honoured Pete with an honorary doctorate, it was David he asked to collect it, as he was travelling in Ireland.

"He was a very, very good friend. Distance didn't matter," says David.

"He would just ring up and say he was coming to Warrington and could we meet up for a drink. I can't believe I won't be getting those calls any more."

David says Pete never forgot Warrington. I think Warrington should never forget Pete.

Come on, civic leaders, what about a permanent tribute to him in the town?