A POPULAR entertainer and Worcester legend known as "The Black Bond" has died.

Tributes have flooded in for a Worcester character and YouTube legend Geoffrey Noble Archer who was known as "The Black Bond" and for his impromptu rap performances featuring "funky rhymes".

Mr Archer, aged in his 50s, was known to frequent Heroes bar in Friar Street and the Marr's Bar in Pierpoint Street where Worcester News understands he performed in his idiosyncratic style in the open mic sessions.

On his website, The Black Bond, he was described in a review by Toxic Pete of Worcester as being admired 'for his guts, spirit, tenacity and ambition'.

Your Worcester News has yet to confirm the circumstances of his death although news of his death broke to many people over the weekend.

Sian Patterson, owner of Heroes, said: "He was a really lovely guy and a real gentleman. He really loved to meet and entertain people. He just used to rap to people on the spot. He would chat to everyone and rap to them. He used to come in most weekends. He was away for a long while but in the last three to four months he came back.

"He would always come to the bar and say 'Hi' to me. He was a bit of a legend, a real character and a sweet, sweet guy. People would come to the bar and say 'who is that guy? He's amazing'. He brought smiles to everyone's faces. It's a real shame. Our heart goes out to his family.

"His message was one of love and peace to people. He felt that was a bit of a calling."

He would often wear a suit and sunglasses which gave him a trademark look.

Although he had lived in Worcester he was believed to be originally from Birmingham because of his accent.

He had a Black Bond store on his website, www.theblackbond.com, and fans had the opportunity to join a club and receive periodic newsletters.

The review on the website said: "He's fully focused on taking this country (and then the world) by storm with his individualistic rap 'songs'. Certainly, the man's got something that others don't - I'm not even sure what that something is but credit where credit's due and all that.

"He seems able to turn audiences from a 'couldn't care less' attitude to a 'let's join in' kinda thing especially with his down to earth approach. Always looking dapper and wearing shades The Black Bond just takes it as it comes and, in his own words, 'In multicultural England, when we drop'."

George Anstey who watched him perform said: "Anyone growing up and venturing into the nightlife of Worcester in the 00s will recognise his name instantly, indeed he has been a solid figure until the present day. His brilliantly eccentric ways of rapping to strangers and smiling the whole time will be sorely missed.

"I have it on good authority that he once went into the council offices to apply for a "licence to thrill". They had no such licence but made him one anyway that was the measure of the man - so likeable you helped him out anyway regardless and enjoyed his presence.

"He will be missed by many on nights out, and gives me a sobering reminder of how short life is."

Marian Archer said on his Facebook page: "Love you always uncle Jeff I have some great memory's I will always cherish nan will look after you now xxxx."

Peter Hunt said: "RIP - A dear friend who will be sadly missed."