Comic Sean Hughes killed by booze at 51
Irish star dies of heart attack after ‘hedonistic’ life
COMEDIAN Sean Hughes has died of a heart attack believed to be linked to years of boozing.
The Irish stand-up and TV star was rushed to London’s Whittington Hospital on Sunday night. It is understood he was admitted with liver cirrhosis, commonly caused by drinking alcohol, and died after suffering a cardiac arrest. The Never Mind The Buzzcocks and Sean’s Show star had said in his final tweet, dated October 8, that he was in hospital. Hughes was born in London to Irish parents and moved to Dublin’s Firhouse at the age of six. He was a pioneering stand-up and one of the youngest comedians ever to win the prestigious Perrier Award in 1990 with A One Night Stand With Sean Hughes. In an Irish Times interview in 2014, Hughes told how he had tried to be teetotal but it hadn’t lasted. He said: “I quit drinking totally for a couple of years. I knew I was drinking too much when I had to be put out at a party. I don’t mean I was asked to leave. My jacket was on fire.” He added: “I don’t want to live for ever. I can think of nothing worse. I’m aiming for 75 to 80. “I have been blessed with decent health, even though I have pushed my body to extreme hedonistic limits.” Fellow comedian Jason Byrne led tributes, saying: “My auld mate Sean Hughes has died, a true Irishman.” Today FM and Blind Date host Al Porter said: “A funny man.” Dara O Briain added: “Ah, that is very sad news. One of the Irish comedy trailblazers in the UK.” RTE’S director of content Jim Jennings said: “Recently RTE was delighted to work with Sean once again, on Radio 1’s Comedy Showhouse and Don’t Quote Me.” Hughes kicked off his acting career in The Commitments, going on to star in Coronation Street. He also wrote two best-selling novels. He never married or had kids but leaves behind his mum and two brothers, Alan and Martin.