Iconic Victoria Wood statue knocked over by out of control taxi

Victoria Wood's brother has reassured fans that the late comedian's statue is as "tough" as she was - after it was knocked over by an out-of-control taxi. 

The cherished Dinnerladies TV star and mother-of-two tragically died aged 62 back in April 2016 after bravely battling terminal cancer. 

A stunning bronze statue by artist Graham Ibbeson - who also created the famous Eric Morecambe monument in Lancashire - was unveiled in Wood's hometown of Bury, Greater Manchester, in 2019. 

But on Monday evening, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and Bury Council confirmed a taxi registered in Wolverhampton crashed into the bronze artwork and knocked it completely over.

GMP said the driver's injuries were "not believed to be serious or life-changing" and added that as yet no arrests had been made.

But amid fears from fans for the future of the statue, Victoria Wood's devoted brother Chris Foote-Wood stressed that his sister was a tough - and so is the sculpture. 

Mr Foote-Wood, who championed the fundraising drive for the statue in 2017, explained: "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." 

The male driver of the silver people carrier that hit the statue was taken to hospital after the crash in Church Gardens, Bury, at about 10pm on Monday, GMP said. 

Photographs from just after the incident showed the wrecked vehicle perched on top of the life-size statue, which was lying flat on the ground having been ripped from its base, and cordoned off.

Regarded as a comedy legend and one of TV's most beloved stars in the 1980s, the BAFTA-winning actress and writer was born in Prestwich and brought up in Bury. 

Having appeared on TV in the 1970s, she soared to stardom in the following decade with series include Wood and Walters, Victoria Wood As Seen on TV, and Acorn Antiques. 

The statue depicts Victoria performing one of her stand-up comedy shows, holding a microphone and wearing her trademark long jacket. 

Bury Council says the statue will be moved from the scene so the damage can be assessed, adding: "Victoria Wood was a national treasure, and we are proud to call her one of our own. 

"The statue was crowdfunded by Victoria’s brother  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."