Tributes have been paid to one of Southport’s greatest characters, the incredibly talented Val Bacon, who has died aged 77.
Val (nee Roberts) was a well-known entertainer, hotelier and advertising executive who starred on popular TV show The Voice aged 70.
In January 2016, the Southport singing sensation wowed judges Will.i.am, Ricky Wilson, Boy George and Paloma Faith with her powerful rendition of Cilla Black hit You’re My World on the hit BBC1 show.
After Valerie told the four judges this show was her “last chance”, Kaiser Chiefs lead singer Ricky Wilson said: “It’s never your last chance until you decide it’s your last chance. And I would strongly urge you not to make that decision tonight because you need to keep singing because you entertain people. And this crowd was entertained.”
Valerie Bacon enjoys a selfie on The Voice with judges Boy George, Ricky Wilson and Will.i.am
Entertaining people with her singing, her humour and her immense personality was something that Val did supremely well for many decades.
She spent 20 years working for the Southport Visiter series of newspapers at their office on Tulketh Street in Southport.
As a hotelier, she worked with her family at the Queens Hotel in Southport, before moving to the Rose and Crown pub in Ulnes Walton near Eccleston.
A keen golfer, she also ran the Lytham Green Drive Golf Club along with her husband, Arthur, where regulars including legendary comedian and entertainer Les Dawson.
Val’s funeral will take place at West Lancs Crematorium (Burscough) L40 7SP on Wednesday 27th September 2023 at 3pm followed by a wake at Southport Football Club PR8 6JZ.
The family invites all who knew Val to celebrate her life with them.
Family flowers only and bright and sparkly colours to be worn.
For more details please contact M Rushton funeral Directors 01704 214118.
Many people from across the world are keen to pay their respects, so the family has created a link for Val’s funeral service so they can watch it online:
Webcast details for the service of Valerie Jane Bacon at 3pm on Wednesday 27th September 2023, at West Lancashire Crem Chapel, run by M Rushton Funeral Directors are: https://watch.obitus.com/4gByuu Username koto2475 Password 372328
Val Bacon
Val’s daughter, Karen Tindell-Watkins, said: “It’s with a heavy heart to inform everyone that Val Bacon nee Roberts has passed away.
“Valerie, her Mum Louise and sisters Alison and Barbara are well known for running the Queens Hotel in Southport in the 1970s and 1980s and bringing glamour and cabaret to Southport seven nights a week. I don’t know how she did it!
“She has done a lot in her life.
“Val was also a well known entertainer in the North West with her singing and comedy act.
“She was on TV a few times and was even on BBC’s The Voice when she was 70.
“She worked for the Southport Visiter and Formby Journal for over 20 years and gained many friends.
“She was the queen of bingo and could play many cards each game!
“My Mum loved golf and played at Shaw Hill Golf Club. They lowered their flags to half mast in her memory.
“Three things she really loved were working, singing and playing bingo.
“She worked until she was 70 at John Cunningham Solicitors.
Val Bacon
“She would go out and play bingo five times a week and was devastated when Mecca Bingo on Lord Street closed down in 2021 after being shut during lockdown.
“Born in Salford she was a fanatical Manchester United supporter and was very vocal during a match.
“We have loads and loads of messages about my Mum from all over the world which we are very grateful for.
“She was wife to Arthur, loving mother to Karen, Peter and Sarah doting Nana to her grandchildren Grant, Scott and Lorna all of whom are devastated and heartbroken.”
Lots of people have been leaving their tributes to a very special lady.
Speaking on Stand Up For Southport, Tandy Kennedy said: “Fabulous woman. Gutted for you and your family.”
Patricia Southworth said: “RIP.beautiful lady remembering all the laughs we had over the many years we were friends.”
Julie Nadin said: “So many wonderful memories. Sending love.”
Sandra Cain said: “Thoughts and prayers,an amazingly kind lady. A joy to know.”
Debbie Atkinson said: “That’s sad to hear. Val was a one-off and I remember her as a kind colleague at the Southport Visiter.
“You could hear her laugh from one end of the office to the other!”
Karen Clayton said: “There will be some lovely memories to share.”
David Bullen said: “Oh that’s terrible news. Val was a fabulous lady.”
Dawn Hibbott Lea said: “I’m so sorry to read this, Val was a real entertainer who lit up the room with her smile and fabulous voice and great laugh, I am gutted for you and all your family, take care.”
Natalie Silcock-Brunskill said: “Lovely lady with an amazing family, who my grandparents loved and had amazing memories of. She will be sadly missed by all the Silcock family.”
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