Who is it?

[Paul]

I came across this little piece written by a well know songwriter on the death of a friend and very famous music hall performer.
The name is actually in the text... can you spot it?

His name was famous ev'rywhere
Around the Halls and on the air
Right to the last, he went the length
Regardless of his health and strength
Year in, year out, fifty and more
Comic songs he sang galore
Happy in them all the while
And rendered with a jovial smile
Millions they will miss him now
Parted from us, we all bow
In grief, our heads in memory
Of one we loved, and blessed is he
Nearer to God to R. I. P.

[Paul]

Over 200 views!!!
Here's the answer:

H is name was famous ev'rywhere
A round the Halls and on the air
R ight to the last, he went the length
R egardless of his health and strength
Y ear in, year out, fifty and more

C omic songs he sang galore
H appy in them all the while
A nd rendered with a jovial smile
M illions they will miss him now
P arted from us, we all bow
I n grief, our heads in memory
O f one we loved, and blessed is he
N earer to God to R. I. P.