TRIBUTES have been paid to a ‘wonderful husband’ and former child actor who appeared in a Norman Wisdom film.

Bernard Dunkinson was just 12-years-old when the comedian came to Darwen to shoot There Was A Crooked Man.

The 66-year-old, who died after suffering a brain haemorrhage, cherished his memories of appearing alongside the star, according to wife Sheila.

She said: “He was very outgoing and he liked a good joke.

“He would talk to anybody. He was a bit of a nutter really but he was a lovely man.

“He was really well known. There were 80 cards of condolence that came through the door.

“He was a fantastic husband and I have lots of memories.

“He will certainly never be forgotten.”

Norman Wisdom came to town in 1960 for the Crooked Man film which would become seldom-seen after a row over ownership rights.

Auditions were held for roles as extras and Mr Dunkinson was selected out of hundreds of hopefuls.

Mrs Dunkinson said: “All he had to say was ‘you don’t look like a general’.

“But he thought it was wonderful and he said Norman Wisdom was great.

“It was his proudest moment. He would always look at the picture from the film on the wall.”

Mr Dunkinson was born at Queen’s Park Hospital in Blackburn, but was a proud Darrener.

He lived in Cavendish Street for almost all of his life, before he and Sheila moved to Pembroke Court in George Street 18 months ago.

As a youngster, Mr Dunkinson went to St Cuthbert’s Primary School and Sudell Road Secondary, before getting a job in the weaving shed at Bob Leach’s factory in Darwen.

He went on to work at ICI’s Britannia Mill and then Crown Paints, where he worked for 29 years.

He met Sheila at a dance at Bolton Palais in 1969. The pair married a year later and son Andrew was born nine months after that.

The couple enjoyed going on holiday and spent many happy times in Austria and Canada.

In 2004, Mr Dunkinson suffered a brain haemorrhage and was unconscious for eight weeks.

He was eventually left wheelchair-bound and barely able to speak.

He died at Royal Blackburn Hospital on May 30 and his funeral was at St Cuthbert’s Church.