Mark E Smith’s wake escalated into a brawl, some of The Fall’s former band members have confirmed.

Smith, the snarling frontman for Manchester post-punk band The Fall, who had been a marauding presence on the music scene for over 40 years, passed away in January at the age of 60.

On Wednesday, Smith was laid to rest at Blackley Crematorium in Manchester and a gathering was then held at the Woodthorpe Hotel in his hometown of Prestwich which, according to some, took a funny turn.

Ben Pritchard, guitarist for The Fall between 2001 and 2006, told The Mirror: “Just about managed to escape with my life from Mark E Smith’s funeral. The ceremony itself was nice, touching in places. The wake, however, didn’t last half an hour before bottles were thrown and drinks poured over people.”

“Total disrespect,” Pritchard added, “he’d have loved it. I kind of expected it but hoped otherwise.”

Steve Evets, bassist from 2000 to 2003, said: “I’ve got to say, it was just like a Fall gig, some strange people there, and it kicked off.”

“Don’t think he would have had it any other way, we love you Mark,” Evets continued.

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