Ex-River City star Andy Gray dies, 61, after Covid battle
Tributes to ‘national treasure’ of TV and theatre who spent two years fighting rare blood cancer
TElEVISION and theatre star Andy Gray has died, aged 61, after a battle with coronavirus.
The Scots actor, who spent two years fighting a rare form of blood cancer, had been on a ventilator for more than two weeks.
Born in Perth, he started out in theatre before starring in TV comedy Naked Video alongside fellow Scots comedy stalwart Gregor Fisher.
Following this he secured one of his most memorable roles as Chancer in the 1980s comedy City lights alongside Elaine C Smith and Gerard Kelly.
In later years he continued to star on the stage in pantomime as well as playing the character Pete Galloway in the TV soap River City from 2016-18.
He is survived by his partner, Tamara Kennedy, and daughter Clare.
Actor and friend Allan Stewart said Gray phoned him shortly after Christmas to tell him he had tested positive for coronavirus. He was later admitted to hospital.
Stewart told STV: ‘The ironic thing about it is he had just gotten through this terrible cancer and beaten it, so we obviously had the feeling he would beat this as well because he’s got that kind of strength.
‘We woke up this morning to the terrible news that he didn’t beat it. He’s been on a ventilator for over two weeks now and we have just been sending thoughts and hopes and everything we possibly could send to help him through – but this terrible disease eventually beat him. It’s devastating.’
Gayle Telfer Stevens, who played Gray’s on-screen wife Caitlin Mclean in River City, said: ‘Andy was, and will remain, a national treasure. Not only was he an exceptional actor and entertainer who brought so much joy to so many people, he was also an extraordinary man.
‘When you were in his presence, you could feel it was of greatness.
‘The most beautiful man – one of the finest our country has ever had the pleasure to experience and we were so lucky to have had the time we did with you. Andy, you will be achingly missed.’
In 2018, Gray was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome, which causes bone marrow to stop producing healthy blood cells.
The illness forced him to pull out of pantomime Beauty and the Beast at the King’s Theatre in Edinburgh that year. He made an emotional comeback to the stage the next year.
Steve Carson, director of BBC Scotland, said: ‘We are deeply saddened by the news one of Scotland’s much-loved comedy
‘Exceptional entertainer’
actors and close friend to many at BBC Scotland, Andy Gray, has passed away.’
He added: ‘On screen and in person he could always make you laugh and was one of the kindest people to have around on any production.
‘Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.’
Martin McCardie, executive producer for River City, said the cast and crew were ‘devastated’ by the ‘extremely sad news’.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon described Gray as ‘a legend of the Scottish acting community’, who would be ‘sorely missed by many’. A spokesman for Capital Theatres, Edinburgh, said: ‘We will all remember Andy with love, a smile and affection for the many years of fun, friendship and brightness he brought to all our lives and the entertainment he gave to so many generations of panto-goers.’
Comedian Fred MacAulay said: ‘A genuinely lovely man who, as well as being a great actor, was a natural wit.
‘Condolences to all his close friends and family who will be hurting terribly at this loss.’