FAMILY and friends will celebrate the colourful life of a world-famous tiller girl and ex flat-mate of Sixties icon Marianne Faithfull next week.

Patsy Cunningham whose passion for dance and showbiz took her from humble beginnings in Swain House to dancing for Prince Philip at a private party in The Savoy, London, died at home in Eccleshill earlier this month after a short illness.

A big turnout is expected at St Francis Church on Tuesday, June 27 in Norman Lane to say their final farewells to the 77-year-old who charmed many hearts including Carry On actor Bernard Bresslaw who she dated before falling for the love-of-her-life David Cunningham and returning to her Bradford roots in 1968 to raise a family with him.

The couple, who went on to have four children and ten grandchildren, were married 51 years before Mr Cunningham died in 2014 and was missed by his other-half deeply, said their grandson Si Cunningham who was able to introduce his grandmother to her first great-grandchild Edie, born nine months ago.

In her heyday as Pat Bell she toured with Rex Grey’s Tiller Girls, on occasions performing at Bradford’s Alhambra making her family very proud, and got a dancing spot in a beach scene in the Cliff Richard’s film Summer Holidays.

While living in London she shared a flat with Marianne Faithful where the Rolling Stones were regular visitors. “She used to throw them out because they made too much mess. They were always leaving their fish and chip papers around,” said Mr Cunningham.

He added: “All these details came out quite later on in life. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any cooler, she’d come out with something else!”

Born to a Bradford Catholic family, the young Patsy took her first step into the limelight at the age of eight when she appeared with the Ethel Riches Dance Academy on a TV talent show called Top Town which saw cities and towns go head to head against each other.

She later enrolled in ballet classes in Skipton and was 19 when she joined Rex Grey’s dancing troupe which swept her off her feet until she met Scotsman David Cunningham who did the same.

She focused on choreography after having her children and ran affordable dance classes for Bradford youngsters. Still a devout Catholic she got involved with annual pantomimes at St Francis Church and was involved in the Bradford Youth Players until hip problems eventually slowed her down.

She threw herself into more community work and was a popular lunch lady at St Francis Primary School, still drawing a crowd in the playground.

Mrs Cunningham also had a passion for outdoor life and the countryside, Ilkley was one of her favourite places to visit as was The Wheatley in Ben Rhydding where friends and family will gather after her funeral to raise a glass in her memory.