. >> joseph gramaldi. >> joseph gramaldi. >> joseph gramaldi. >> reporter: joseph gramaldi was a 19th century superstar who transformed the role and appearance of the clown. he delighted theater audiences across london it high profile fans like charles diggens. almost 200 years after his death, gramaldi's service is marked by an annual church service in his name. a comical congregation of playful pilgrims pack the pews, donning the dress code of drollery.ful coats, hats and bo ties. and candles are lit to remember those who have given their last giggle. but the chucklesome nature of the occasion could barely be further from the so-called creepy clown craze which terrified people in a number of countries around halloween last year. the clown community, it was no laughing matter. >> i lost three bookings. and lost some work as well through it. i was going out with no face on. no face. and going to do my work at children's shows. they said, please don't come as a clown because my child will be frightened. >> reporter: the clowns at the service are refusing to let such memories wipe the s