Comic Bernard Manning dies at 76

LONDON, June 18 (Reuters) Comedian Bernard Manning, who courted controversy for decades with gags branded sexist, racist and homophobic, died today aged 76, a hospital spokesman said.

He had been in hospital for two weeks, reportedly suffering from diabetes and a kidney problem.

After years working as a singer and comic in northern clubs, Manning found fame on ITV's ''The Comedians'' in the 1970s with comedians such as Frank Carson and Stan Boardman.

''He was the godfather of 'The Comedians','' Mickey Martin, a friend of the comic, told the Manchester Evening News. ''It is a sad loss to Manchester as well as to the world of comedy.'' His material slowly fell out of fashion with the rise of a new generation of comedians in the 1980s, although he continued to perform at his Embassy Club in Manchester.

Manning was unrepentant about his politically incorrect material.

''I tell jokes about everything and everybody,'' he said in an interview. ''You should never take a joke seriously or you'll have a miserable life.'' REUTERS SG RAI2354