Actor, councillor, comedian, singer, and avid Arsenal fan John Dias-Broughton was laid to rest at a ceremony attended by friends and family this week, as pall-bearers wore his favourite team’s shirt.
The larger-than-life character was perhaps best known locally for his work as a councillor for Parsloes Ward for 12 years, but he was also a familiar face on the small screen where he plied his trade as a performer in films and adverts and on stage.
His funeral took place at Rippleside Cemetery, Barking, on Tuesday last week. It came two weeks after his death, aged 81, from cancer. As a sign of respect, the borough’s flags flew at half mast on the day.
John lived at Sissley Road, Barking, and leaves behind wife of 44 years Dolores, their six children, 24 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Dolores said: “John was a really bubbly sort of person. He loved to help people – he would give them the last pound in his pocket if he thought he could help them.”
She said his death had left her feeling “completely empty”, adding: “I just feel as if something is missing. He was a big part of my life.”
His daughter Carmen, 36, of Maybury Road, said: “He was a great dad. He would always try and help you. He was one those people who loved to have a little joke.” She said the family were “still trying to accept the fact he’s gone”.
In his prime John starred on screen as a teacher in Pink Floyd’s The Wall, as a caveman in 1975 adventure film The Land That Time Forgot and as a Victorian-era extra in The Muppet Christamas Carol.
He also appeared on TV as an extra in hit sitcom Only Fools And Horses as well as a number of adverts – including Tudor Crisps where he dressed up as Henry VIII – and music videos for the likes of The Beautiful South and Irish singer Feargal Sharkey.
Locally he performed as a singer at the Brewery Club in Barking, where he met Dolores, and helped establish the Chelton Colts Football club for young people in the borough.
One of his many talents was stand-up comedy and his routine involving quick-change characters allegedly inspired English comic actor Benny Hill.
A constituent of John who was helped to find her new home by the former councillor said she was “so upset” to hear of his death.
Kim Gibbens, 55, of Porters Avenue, Dagenham, called up the Post to pay tribute to the late great-grandad.
She said: “He was a great help to me when I moved into my house 28 years ago. He was a real gent to me and my husband – he was a wonderful man.”
• To read more tributes to Cllr Dias-Broughton, including words spoken by his former colleagues on Barking and Dagenham Council, pick up next week’s Post.
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