Stuart Brown, the “larger than life” former Dereham King's Head Hotel landlord, has died aged 63.

Stuart Brown, the “larger than life” former Dereham King's Head Hotel landlord, has died aged 63.

He spent six years at the hotel until the end of last year and after becoming ill with a liver disease he returned to his native Burnley area to spend his final days.

Mr Brown was a very accomplished musician and singer and when he first moved to the Norfolk area about a decade ago he ran a karaoke business.

Having sampled his first taste of music as a child playing the trumpet with the Salvation Army, he then travelled extensively and among his highlights were providing the backing group for the Hollies.

Mr Brown worked for the Mecca chain and was one of their entertainers of the year and as well as running the King's Head, he became legendary for his outgoing character and his music evenings.

Former employee and close friend Brian Turner said: “Stuart was a great raconteur and was a legend for his karaokes. He was a larger than life character and he knew something about everything!

“Stuart was a great singer and a very good musician.”

Mr Brown's two children James and Danni still live in Dereham with their mother Lesley.