The County Durham brother of the late comedian Victoria Wood has spoken of his 'terrible shock' at learning a bronze statue of her had been knocked over after a taxi crashed into it.
Writer and actor Chris Foote-Wood from Barnard Castle, who inaugurated and sponsored her statue, spoke after a silver people carrier hit the statue in the comedian's hometown of Bury last night (Monday, June 4).
The much-loved comedienne, actor and writer Victoria died of cancer aged 62 in 2016. Last Friday, May 19, would have been her 70th birthday.
Mr Foote-Wood said: "A terrible shock to be told 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.”
Greater Manchester Police said the driver's injuries were "not believed to be serious or life-changing". They said no arrests had been made.
The memorial was put in place in the town following an initiative that included members of Victoria's family, members of her literary estate and the council. 
The life-size statue, which is now lying flat on the ground having been ripped from its base, has been cordoned off.
A council spokesman said: “Victoria Wood was a national treasure, and we are proud to call her one of our own.
“The statue was crowd-funded by Victoria’s brother Chris and from her estate, and maintained by the council.
"It was made by the acclaimed sculptor Graham Ibbeson and unveiled in 2019.
"It has been a source of great pleasure to many visitors to Bury, and it’s a huge disappointment that this incident has happened and the statue will have to be removed.
“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. We will be in close contact with Victoria’s family in deciding what to do next.
“We understand that the police are investigating the incident, and that the driver went to hospital with non-serious injuries. The vehicle is a taxi, licensed in Wolverhampton.”
The statue depicts Victoria performing one of her stand-up comedy shows, holding a microphone and wearing her trade-mark long jacket.
Victoria Wood began her career in the 1970s after appearing on television talent show, New Faces.
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She is best known for starring in roles in sitcoms including Dinnerladies and Acorn Antiques as well as her sketch show, Victoria Wood, As Seen on TV.
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.
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