St George’s icon Alben Anderson, known to all as “Alabama”, was saluted in Parliament as beloved in the east end.

Mr Anderson died on Tuesday at the age of 72.

His niece, Progressive Labour Party Senator Renee Ming, looked on from the gallery as St David’s MP Lovitta Foggo rose in tribute to “a very colourful, very well known” man familiar to St George’s residents.

“He definitely was a gentleman. He was quite a humorous fellow. He is well known for having participated in the marathon — sometimes you would see him running barefoot. But he was a very good athlete and always placed very high up in the finish line.”

Ms Foggo said Mr Anderson was “beloved — and will be greatly missed in St George’s”.

Speaker of the House Randolph Horton acknowledged the backing of the condolences from MPs on both sides of the House, noting: “Everybody knows Alabama.”

Premier Craig Cannonier joined the sentiment, recalling “fond memories, especially when Alabama would show up at school sports days to compete against everyone. St George’s MP Nandi Outerbridge also commended Mr Anderson as “very colourful — he kept us all entertained”.