One of Britain's greatest comedians and screenwriters Barry Cryer has died, aged 86.
Tributes from celebrities, including David Baddiel and Stephen Fry, have poured in for the stalwart of BBC Radio 4 comedy panel shows.
As well as a performing comedian, Leeds-born Barry was an immensely successful screenwriter, composing lines for British comedy and entertainment legends including Tommy Cooper, Sir Bruce Forsyth, The Two Ronnies and Morecambe and Wise.
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He even wrote lines for top American comedians Bob Hope and Richard Pryor.
Barry studied at Leeds Grammar School and the University of Leeds before beginning his entertainment career at Leeds City Varieties.
The father-of-four moved to London where his comedy screenwriting career began. His early credits include The Frost Report, starring John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Marty Feldman and Sir David Frost.
Barry co-wrote scripts for Morecambe and Wise during their 1970s heyday.
And the great-grandfather supplied laughs performing on the Radio 4 comedy panel show I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue into the 2020s.
In 2017 he was awarded an honorary degree from the University of Leeds, presented by the university's chancellor and fellow broadcaster Melvyn Bragg.
Writer and actor Stephen Fry tweeted this morning: "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."
League of Gentleman co-creator and Hollywood actor Mark Gattiss tweeted: "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."
And comedian and writer David Baddiel tweeted: "Ah, Barry Cryer. Lived and breathed comedy. RIP."
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