Barry Cryer: Comedy legend dies, aged 86

Veteran comedian Barry Cryer has died “peacefully and in good spirits” at the age of 86, his family have confirmed.

Cryer, once dubbed the “King of Comedy”, has written for many household names including Sir Bruce Forsyth, Sir David Frost, The Two Ronnies and Kenny Everett.

He also appeared on panel shows such as Just A Minute and I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue.

Cryer died on Tuesday afternoon, “with his family around him” at Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow, north-west London.

In a statement his family said: “Dad was a talented comedy writer and comedian in a particularly golden vintage. Incidentally he never really liked the terms ‘comedy writer’ or ‘comedian’, instead preferring hack and entertainer, and always thought the term ‘national treasure’ meant he’d just been dug up.

“He was, in his words, arrogant in his humility. He had a gift for friendship (as anyone who still has a landline will testify) and a genius for putting people at their ease. Oh yes, and he made many people laugh. A lot. Over many years.

“Baz was, firstly, a loving husband to Terry for nearly 60 years and a gentle father to Tony, David, Jack, Bob. He was a friend to their partners Jayne, Matt, Garry and Suzannah.

“As a grandfather Ruby, Tom, Evan, Archie, Hope, Martha and Connie all loved him and, more recently, Ruby’s daughter, Isobel, had the good fortune to spend time with him as a great grandfather.”

His family said a funeral will take place in the coming weeks and will be followed later by a “more inclusive” memorial service.

They also asked for messages, photos or videos to be submitted to a book of condolence, details of which will be announced on Twitter.

The family statement continued: “He leaves behind him a life of fun, joy, love and silliness and we’ll all be doing our best to maintain that legacy.

“He regularly told fantastic stories and anecdotes about others – the many brilliant and fascinating people he’d worked with and knew – but as he was loved and admired by so many why don’t we start telling some stories about Baz and his brilliant and mischievous life and career?

“And to end, as Dad would say, ‘Same time tomorrow?”

Broadcaster and author Gyles Brandreth, a close friend of Cryer, was among those paying tribute.

Sharing a photo of them together on Twitter, he said: “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.”