I believe one can, on very special occasions speak ill of the dead. Hitler , Mussolini, some would say Franco, and other people considered considered to have been despots - leading their populations into war and all the associated horrors.
To speal ill of people who on occasions displayed frailties in their lives, but, overall attempted (and in most part succeeded) in bringing some enjoyment fun and pleasure to their audiences is a complete abhoration.
I have fond memories of Alex - the first time I saw him (obviously when I didn't know him ) the audience was eating out of his hand.
Years later (he was drinking a non-alcohlic wine ) we had a great long yarn for hours , at an agents house in the Midlands ,and he was a goldmine of information, stories, humour and song. Oh Yes !! - larger than life, a few tall stories , but a lovely man and as someone said earlier , a real character , the type of which, the sanitised folk scene is now sadly lacking.
RIP Alex.