THE day before he was taken into hospital, comic Dave Lee had been buying new shoes for his freedom of the city ceremony, his daughter has revealed.

Debbie Glew told councillors at the ceremony at Canterbury's Guildhall on Tuesday night: "Dad had his suit, tie and shirt ready. I took him into town on the Saturday to get his shoes. Sadly, he was taken into hospital on the Sunday."

She added: "Life is too short for many. Love and prosper while you can. Live every day as it is your last. Smile and have fun.

"Respect what you have, and give to others who need. Thank you all for joining us this evening. We are blessed, and will treasure, what dad has left behind. He was a truly wonderful, uplifting and caring man."

She and her brothers, Darren and Justin, accepted a parchment and medal on behalf of their father who died on Monday, January 16, from pancreatic cancer. He was 64.

It had been hoped he would have lived long enough to have been given the freedom of the city. Instead, the city council re-wrote the protocol book so councillors could award him the honour posthumously. The service followed his civic funeral in Canterbury Cathedral the day before.

Within the public gallery were his old celebrity friends Joe Pasquale and Richard Digance, broadcaster Barbara Sturgeon, Bruce Forsyth's daughter Julie and her husband Dominic and members of his first band the Swinging Secrets – Phil Hadler, Mick Rook, Paul Petts and Roy Delo.

The honour was proposed by council leader John Gilbey and seconded by Liberal Democrat leader Alex Perkins.

Mr Gilbey said: "This is a special occasion for a special person. But it is not the occasion we had all hoped. It is in recognition of the great and lasting enjoyment Dave gave to the people of the district, in particular for his comedy performances, his tireless fundraising work for local charities and, of course, the ghost gag bench sketch."

He added: "There are many memorable stories about his time as a drummer and singer but my favourite is how he travelled to gigs with his drum kit in a tiny three-wheeled Messerschmitt car. Apparently, one day he overturned it, got out, rolled it back onto its wheels, and still arrived in time for his gig with his drums intact!

"Every year during panto he would turn his dressing room into a home-from-home with a bar with beer, optics and a supply of food. There was even a microwave for hot pizza."

Mr Gilbey added: "One of the honours conferred on a freeman is they are allowed to drive sheep through the city. I think Dave was looking forward to that."

Mr Perkins said: "This is not a sad occasion. This is an occasion to celebrate the life and achievements of a wonderful and inspirational man – a genuine man of the people who gave us the gift of laughter."

He added: "My kids once asked Dave how we had met. Quick as a flash he told them I was his stunt double in the pantomime. I'm pretty sure they believed him."