MUHAMMAD Ali's life in and out of the ring will be remembered for generations to come – and a friend of the late boxer believes the world will never see 'another hero like him'.

Comedian Charlie Hale, from Cinnamon Brow, met the American, who died on Friday, aged 74, numerous times in recent years.

The former heavyweight champion, who had long suffered from Parkinson's disease, was admitted to hospital with a respiratory condition before sadly losing his battle.

Tributes have been pouring in from across the globe and one man to have known Ali and his family on a personal level was the Warrington comedian.

Despite seeing the star at a number of events, there is one in particular which will stick with Charlie for the rest of his life – the night he presented Ali with the Ethnic Multicultural Media Academy Award at Stoke City's Brittania Stadium in 2009.

He said: "I am absolutely gutted, over the years I really got to know him personally.

"Part of everyone's life has gone – there will not be another hero like him.

"He got the award earlier but he was ill at the time so he was presented with it in 2009 and I was honoured to be able to host that night.

"I gave him a 10-minute introduction and his wife said it was 'the best introduction' he has had.

"I have done 78 different TV shows but that, for me, was my best in showbusiness – I will never forget it as long as I live.

"On the night we also had a picture with a Wolves top which was framed for the Shannon Bradshaw Trust.

"I feel honoured to have met him a number of times. One of the things I remember from one of the times is when I was doing an impression of Mike Tyson, he kept asking me to do it over and over again, he loved it."

The news of Ali's deteriorating condition came through to Charlie while he was in Newcastle on Friday – and he admits it is a moment he struggled to come to terms with.

"I was with Nigel Benn doing a support event when we got the message and we asked the crowd to do a prayer," he added.

"And I have been with John Barnes this week and he was also devastated. Ali was truly the king of sportsmen.

"The reason he had such a massive impact is not just for his boxing but also what he did outside the ring.

"He stood up in the 60s when black and white people could not eat together – he made that stand and stuck to it.

"Following his efforts he got an apology from the American Government – the most powerful organisation in the world.

"People also don't realise that he used to go around the world and deliver food parcels to those in need."

Charlie is currently helping to organise a 'Muhammad Ali Opponents' Tour' across England to help pay tribute to the boxer.