Alloa's Alan Reid, also known as karaoke singer Johnny Midnight, was laid to rest last week following a battle with cancer

Alan Reid was well-known in the town, especially in his role as the karaoke singer Johnny Midnight, featuring in the Back of Dykes and the Star Inn.

He was diagnosed with cancer last year and a couple of weeks ago, on April 19, he died at home surrounded by family.

His funeral was held at Alloa Town Hall last week and, given Alan's nature, he wasn't to miss an opportunity to plan one last big shindig.

Indeed, the 57-year-old was known as someone who took the party wherever he went and even had his karaoke machine brought into the nursing home he was staying in so he could entertain fellow guests.

His wife Louise says Alan's courageous approach to his illness was typical of how he had always lived his life.

She told the Advertiser: "He took it all on the chin. He gave us the strength to keep going with his humour and his courage.

"The day he found out he was terminal, he turned round and told me to get the karaoke machine brought into the hospital. He said 'we're gonna have a party'.

"And there was a woman in the hospital there, celebrating her 80th birthday so he brought her in and he gave her a wee tribute and sang her Happy Birthday.

"His main concern in life was keeping people happy. Even after he received the devastating news that day, he managed to turn it around."

She added: "Alan was always someone who was working away, doing some DIY or something. But in July last year we found out the tumour had spread to his spine and he ended up being paralysed.

"To lose his mobility was really difficult, I have no idea how he coped. But that was just Alan; he was such a brave man and he was never down about it."

On Friday last week, hundreds of mourners paid their respects to Alan with a personalised send-off at Alloa Town Hall.

And in keeping with his memory, Alan made sure the event was one not to be missed with upbeat songs and happy memories.

The evening then moved to the Star Inn, Drysdale Street, where Alan had served as the karaoke host on Sunday nights for years.

Louise said: "Alan went out in the same style he lived his life. His coffin was a jukebox – which he picked himself – and on the side of it he had written: 'the one and only Johnny Midnight'.

"He was well-known in Alloa. There were about 400 or so people at his funeral and we had to stop traffic outside the town hall at one point.

"And he would've liked that. Going out like a celebrity or something.

"He even had his own pre-funeral party so he could attend. We had family and friends come along.

"I joked with him that he did that just so he could hear what we would all say about him.

"But he kept us laughing until the end – he was full of fun."

The former Glassworks employee had three children and three grand-children and after leaving the hospital in November last year, he was able to spend a good few months with his family.

Louise said: "There were three things he wanted to do before he died. He wanted to see his son's fight, to see his lassie Jenifer and his laddie Alan run in the Alloa half marathon and to his have his little pre-funeral party. Well, he managed to do all three.

"His son Darin is a professional boxer and was fighting in the Albert Halls in Stirling in March, about four weeks before Alan died. And we managed to get along and see him win. He was absolutely over the moon.

"Then about a week later, he was looking out of the window of the flat and watched his lassie and laddie run past in the half marathon. Jenifer even managed to stop and give him a wave.

She added: "He loved life, he loved his music and he loved people. He was a true gent.

"He kept everyone around him happy. The nurses and the carers used to love going to see him because they'd be getting a few laughs."