Veteran comedy writer and performer Barry Cryer has died aged 86.
During his seven-decade career, Cryer appeared on stage, screen and radio and penned jokes for countless household names.
He had a long-running partnership with Sir David Frost, with their collaborations including The Frost Report on the BBC.
The Leeds-born performer was also a panellist on BBC Radio 4’s I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue for more than four decades and a regular at the Edinburgh Festival.
He wrote for legends of British comedy, including Ronnie Barker, Ronnie Corbett, Sir Billy Connelly and Tommy Cooper.
In 2018, he was handed a lifetime achievement award for his comedy career by the British Music Hall Society.
Paying tribute, Gyles Brandreth said: “Wherever Barry went he brought laughter with him – even to memorial services. And he went to lots because he’d worked with everyone! He was generous about everyone: a great mentor & friend.”
Actor and comedian Stephen Fry said: “Such sad news, one of the absolute greats of British comedy, Barry Cryer is no more.
“A glorious, gorgeous, hilarious and gifted writer and performer who straddled all the comic traditions. Universally beloved…farewell, Baz.”
Cryer was born in Leeds and studied English literature at the University of Leeds.
He was made an OBE in 2001 and was also a member of the entertainment charity the Grand Order of Water Rats.
He married his wife Theresa in 1962 and they have four children.
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