A MUSIC hall performer who was once fired out of a cannon at a North-East theatre has died at the age of 88.

Irene James, a singer and musician, worked with some of the great acts of the age, including Frankie Vaughan and Bobby Thompson, during a long stage career.

Born and raised in Darlington, Mrs James was one of seven children in a musical family and went on to become a well-respected performer on the musical hall circuit.

Her love of the stage started in 1940 when, aged just 15, she performed as human cannonball for magician the Great Levante as part of a promotional stunt for a show he was performing at the Darlington Hippodrome, now the Civic Theatre.

Her sister, Margaret Ellerton, said she applied for the role after one of their brothers told her she would not dare to take part.

Mrs Ellerton said: “She was only 7st 10lbs and she fit in the cannon perfectly. She did it for two nights and she was stage struck.”

Mrs James went on to perform with her first husband, Jack, in an act with his brother, called the Bainbridge Brothers and Irene, later to become the Bainbridge Trio, with her sister, Mary.

In later years, Mrs James played the organ at Rise Carr Working Men’s Club, in Darlington, and created a number of shows, including a performance for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee.

After being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, she moved to North Park Care Home, in Darlington, where she continued to entertain her fellow residents by playing the accordion and singing her music hall tunes.

Mrs Ellerton said: “She was a wonderful sister and a wonderful mother. Music was just a very big part of her life.”

Mrs James is survived by her son, David Bainbridge, who is also a musician, and four grandchildren. Her daughter, Maureen, who died at the age of 47, was a singer.

Mr Bainbridge paid tribute to his mother and said: “She certainly had an interesting life and touched many people through her music and lovely, open personality.”

Her funeral will take place on Friday, May 31, at St Mark’s Church, in North Road, Darlington, at 1.15pm. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to The Alzheimer’s Society.