Roy Ullyett, the king of sports cartoonists, died at the weekend (Saturday) after a short illness. He was 87.

Roy was the longest-serving cartoonist in Fleet Street history. His career stretched for more than 60 years, from his days as a music-hall caricaturist to his "second home" at the Daily Express.

He began drawing for his living on the Southend Times as a freelance contributor in 1930, receiving ten shillings a week for cartoons featuring the local theatre company. Roy had a life-long link with Southend, living in the area for more than 80 years.

He decorated the sports pages of the Express from 1953 to 1997, moving from the London Evening Star where he first established himself as the wittiest and most talented of all sports cartoonists. He joined the Star in 1933 at the age of 19.

Born in Leytonstone, London, in 1914, he was awarded an OBE in 1989 for his services to journalism and his charity fund raising.

Famous for his trademark giant handlebar moustache and Sherlock Holmes-type pipe, he was a companion of the show business charity the Water Rats and his cartoons raised more than one million pounds for charity.

He had an interesting war in that he managed to serve in both the Army and the RAF, finishing as a pilot officer.

He was a keen Southend United supporter, and a close friend of former club chairman Nelson Mitchell. Roy, a single handicap golfer, was also a bosom pal of local cricket master Trevor Bailey and a regular companion of Southend boxing promoter Johnny Levine.

Roy was married to Maggie for 56 years. They lived throughout most of their marriage in a house overlooking Southend War Memorial and the Estuary. Maggie died six weeks ago, and in the words of their daughter Freya, "Roy lost the will to live when his beloved wife died."

Freya, a leading show business manager, said: "Their marriage was made in heaven. Dad just did not want to go on without her.

Norman Giller, Roy's biographer, former Express colleague and close friend, said: "Roy gave more pleasure to people with his pencil and unique wit than a dozen comedians put together. A huge light has gone out on the Fleet Street stage. Roy was the Great Entertainer."

His funeral will be at Southend Crematorium on Monday October 29 at 3.20pm.