Partner of gay comedian Frankie Howerd dies
Dennis Heymer, the former partner and manager of comedian Frankie Howerd, has died. Mr Heymer died aged 80 last Friday in the arms of Chris Byrne, who the couple unofficially adopted as a teenager.
He had lived on Mr Howard’s estate since the comedian passed away in 1992.
They had been together since 1955 and met while Mr Heymer was working as a waiter.
Axbridge town councillor Mr Byrne, 42, told the Western Daily Press: “He died in my arms as I always said he would. I always assured him that he would never go into a nursing home.
“It was quite peaceful and I thanked him for everything he had done for me, and he thanked me for what I had done for him.
“Behind the scenes he was a great showbusiness man and together he and Frank toured the world and met prime ministers and other heads of state. He was president of the Frankie Howerd OBE Trust, and a number of other trusts have benefited from the guidance he has given them.”
Last month, it was reported that Mr Heymer and Mr Byrne had had a civil partnership to ensure Mr Byrne would inherit the multimillion pound estate.
“The civil ceremony protects us legally with the property that Frank left Dennis and with my inheritance,” Mr Byrne said. “It’s not a romantic relationship, but it’s a caring one. I look after Dennis because he’s very frail now.”
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