A statue of the late comedian Victoria Wood has been toppled over after a taxi collided with the bronze memorial in her home town of Bury, Greater Manchester, on Monday night.
The two-metre high sculpture of the ‘national treasure’, which was unveiled in 2019, is located just outside Bury Library, from which Wood used to steal books because she was too chronically shy to ask a librarian how to join.
It depicts Victoria performing one of her stand-up comedy shows, holding a microphone and wearing her trade-mark long jacket.
The statue was ripped off its base following the collision with a silver SUV shortly after 10pm on Monday.
Greater Manchester Police said the driver of the vehicle was taken to hospital with injuries not believed to be serious or life-changing. No arrests were made.
A statue of the late comedian Victoria Wood has been toppled over after a taxi collided with the bronze memorial in her home town of Bury, Greater Manchester, on Monday night
The two-metre high sculpture of the ‘national treasure’, which was unveiled in 2019, is located just outside Bury Library, from which Wood used to steal books because she was too chronically shy to ask a librarian how to join
The statue was ripped off its base following the collision with a silver SUV shortly after 10pm on Monday in Bury
The bronze statue was erected in tribute to the Dinnerladies star, who died in April 2016 aged 62 from cancer. Pictured: Wood in 2015 months before her death
A cordon remained in place on Tuesday as police continue to investigate the incident.
The bronze statue was erected in tribute to the Dinnerladies star, who died in April 2016 aged 62 from cancer.
Created by Graham Ibbeson, who sculpted a famous memorial to Eric Morecambe, the life-sized monument was a joint project of Bury Council and Wood’s estate and was funded in part by a Crowdfunding appeal set up by her brother Chris Foote Wood.
On Tuesday, Mr Foote Wood said: ‘It’s a terrible shock to be told that your sister has been knocked down by a taxi, but Victoria always was tough and her bronze statue even more so.
‘She’ll be back good as new very soon.’
A spokesman for Bury Council said: ‘Victoria Wood was a national treasure, and we are proud to call her one of our own.
‘(The statue) has been a source of great pleasure to many visitors to Bury, and it’s a huge disappointment that this incident has happened.
‘We are currently making arrangements for the statue to be removed and kept in a safe place while we assess the extent of the damage to it.
The life-size statue of the late comedian, writer and actor was unveiled in 2019. Pictured: Wood’s brother Chris Foote Wood (right) with comedian Ted Robbins (left)
Woods – a stand-up comedian, playwright and luminary of light entertainment – won four TV Baftas over her stunning career, which began in the 1970s
Wood shot to fame on the television talent show New Faces and was best known for her sitcom roles which included Dinnerladies
‘We will be in close contact with Victoria’s family in deciding what to do next.’
Woods – a stand-up comedian, playwright and luminary of light entertainment – won four TV Baftas over her stunning career, which began in the 1970s.
Originally born in Prestwich, she was given her first big break after appearing on television talent show New Faces.
She is best known for starring in sitcom roles including Dinnerladies and Acorn Antiques – as well as her sketch show, Victoria Wood, As Seen on TV.
Her statue was erected following an initiative which included members of her family, literary estate and the local council.
In May last year, a new plaque was unveiled at the statue which outlines her life and work.
It features several colour photographs of the multi-talented star including one with one of the several Baftas she won for her performing, writing and acting.
The ‘national treasure’ is seen showing off her unique brand of comedy in An Audience with Victoria Wood in 1988
The multi-Bafta award winner shone in her popular sketch show, Victoria Wood, As Seen on TV