Kind, clever and funny beyond measure
Tributes to comedy star Andy Gray
Tributes have been paid to the actor and comedy star Andy Gray after he died at the weekend.
The Scottish entertainment world has been left stunned by the death of the 61-year-old star of City Lights, Naked Video and River City.
The Perth-based actor, who was one of the stars of the Christmas panto at the King's Theatre in Edinburgh each year was also a huge draw at the Fringe thanks to his theatre double act with panto costar Grant Stott.
Gray, who started his acting career at Perth Theatre in the late 1970s, shot to fame in the 1980s with the BBC Scotland sitcom City Lights, playing Chancer, the sidekick of Willie Melvin, who was played by Gerard Kelly.
Reruns of the show, which also featured Dave Anderson, Iain Mccoll, Elaine C Smith and Jonathan Watson, were only recently broadcast by BBC Scotland again.
Gray, who joined the cast of River City in 2016, had previously battled blood cancer after being diagnosed in 2018, but made a comeback in the King’s panto the following year. More recently he had fought against a Covid positive diagnosis.
After last year’s King’s panto was cancelled, Gray was due to appear with King's costar Allan Stewart in a show in Milton Keynes, which was also called off due to tightened restrictions in the area.
Stewart said: “Today a light went out in my life. My pal and panto partner Andy Gray has left the building. We have been working together for over 20 year sandi will remember him for all the laughs we’ve had, on and off the stage. He was loved by so many people and I will miss him with all my heart.”
Stott said: “I, like so many others, am coming to terms with the loss of my dear friend, partner, Panto brother; Andy Gray. He was a huge part of every aspect of my life; personal, professional and family – he leaves a massive void that can never be filled.
"I count myself lucky that I was able to work and learn from him for more than 20 years and his support, generosity and encouragement to me has been an ever-present in all of that time.
"I will miss him terribly and, as heartbroken as I am, I know for a fact Andy would want us all to ‘remember the laughs’ of which there were many, both on and off stage - and usually at my expense.”
Fiona Gibson, chief executive of Capital Theatres, which runs the King’s, said: “We are still reeling from the news and are all absolutely devastated.
"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 generationsof pan to-goers during his time at the King’s.”
River City actor Gayle Telfer Stevens, who played Caitlin Mclean, who was married on-screen to Andy’s character, 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 an extraordinary man.
"When you were in his presence you could feel it was of greatness. The most kind, clever, funny beyond measure, beautiful man.”
Actor Tam Dean Burn said: “Devastated we’ve lost Andy Gray. A lovely man & comedy genius."