Tributes to man who died at pub open mic night Thursday, August 07 2024
By: Julia Bryson BBC News
Tributes have been paid to a "true Bradfordian" who died suddenly while singing at an open mic night in Bradford.
Michael Pascal, known to his friends as Muppett, was performing at The Fox in Shipley when he had a heart attack on Wednesday evening.
A post on the pub's Facebook page said it would remain closed on Thursday in his honour.
Mr Pascal, 64, worked as a community development worker at Manningham-based charity CNet, which paid tribute to their "friend and colleague".
A statement from the charity said: "To all who knew and loved him, you will be comforted to know that he passed away doing what he loves best, singing on stage at an open mic session during which he suffered a fatal heart attack.
"A true Bradfordian whose enigmatic, quirky personality and love of people will always be remembered."
Mr Pascal, from Thorpe Edge, Bradford, ran several community walking groups as part of his work for CNet, and had produced a booklet - called Muppett's Rambles - with details of some of his walks.
These included details on local history as well as information on which plants could be foraged along the way.
The pub's post added: "Today we are heartbroken to announce, that last night while performing at the Wednesday open mic, a much-loved customer, character, poet, performer and friend to many passed away in The Fox."
Sincerely, Gargoyle
What a striking character ... almost from a page by Dickens.