Barry Cryer Passes Away: Comedian And Actor Dies At The Age Of 86; Celebrities And Fans Pay Tributes
The details surrounding Barry Cryer’s death, including a cause, are yet to be disclosed.
English writer, comedian and actor Barry Cryer died at the age of 86. The legendary comedian was a stalwart on BBC Radio 4's popular panel game 'I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue' since first featuring as a panellist in 1972.
The details surrounding his death, including a cause, are yet to be disclosed. The Leeds-born comic was a prolific writer with a career that saw him work with performers including Bruce Forsyth, Bob Hope, Spike Milligan, and The Two Ronnies.
Social media has been flooded with tributes for the star who is originally from Leeds and made an OBE in 2001 for services to comedy.
RIP #BarryCryer. Here we are only a few weeks ago. Baz was just the loveliest guy: funny & generous. He’d worked with everybody & everybody he worked with liked him. I shall miss his happy company so much - & his regular phone calls: he gave you a gem of a joke with each one. pic.twitter.com/O8AgZyMYYt
— Gyles Brandreth (@GylesB1) January 27, 2022
Close friend, the actor, broadcaster, writer and former politician Gyles Brandreth, today wrote on Twitter: 'Baz was just the loveliest guy: funny and generous.
'He’d worked with everybody & everybody he worked with liked him.
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.
— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) January 27, 2022
“I shall miss his happy company so much - & his regular phone calls: he gave you a gem of a joke with each one.”
Actor, comedian, screenwriter and director Mark Gattis also paid tribute, he wrote: “Barry Cryer was the real deal. An incredibly funny man who worked with - and wrote for - the giants of comedy. Yet he remained forever curious and delighted by whatever was fresh and original. 'Kind, encouraging, generous and a one off. Goodbye, Cheeky.”
Cryer was born in Leeds in 1935 and started his career as a variety performer while appearing in a university revue.
He was made an OBE in 2001 and last month launched a podcast with his son Bob, titled Now, Where Were We?, featuring guests including Stephen Fry, Danny Baker and Miriam Margolyes.
Image Source: Instagram/freshonthenet