A popular Royston entertainer has left a ‘huge hole’ in the hearts of loved ones after he died of an infection after being diagnosed with leukaemia.
Born and bred in the town, Colin Freeman’s roots lay firmly in Royston.
His grandfather was the town’s first ever postmaster and his mother – Kathleen Dodkin MBE, who lived until she was 100 – was a secretary working on the base during the construction of Bassingbourn Barracks.
Colin started his career in the army, and out of it came his natural gift for performing – during his time in the forces he taught himself the guitar.
His love for the spotlight meant he was destined for a career in showbiz.
Colin started off as a redcoat entertainer with Butlins before setting up pop band Wages of Sin.
He criss-crossed the country playing live dates, and made the UK Top 40 charts.
After he left the band, he set up his own disco and carried on touring around the country.
His daughter Zoe said: “He was so gregarious, he had a really dry sense of humour, and a deadpan face when he would tell a joke.
“He made friends with everyone. When we went on holiday, he would know everyone’s name in the hotel.
“When me and my sister would go to local takeaways, the people working there would call us ‘Colin’s girls’.
“But he wasn’t a show-off, he was very caring and kind.”
Later in life, he worked in sales, but always sold equipment for the entertainment industry.
He was famous across the town for putting on impressive firework displays at schools, and the family say everyone has a funny anecdote about him.
Colin was diagnosed with leukaemia in March, but he was considered to be in remission when he passed away earlier this month at the age of 70. Daughter Amy said: “He was a very young 70. He never had a cold or flu.”
A hands-on dad, he built his daughters an impressive tree house when they were younger, making them the envy of neighbours.
He is survived by his wife Diane Freeman, a lifelong friend who he married in April, daughters Zoe Freeman and Amy Ogilvie, step-daughter Heather Jenkins, and grandchildren Cody, Halle, Casey and Remy Ogilvie and Tom Finch.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here