Express cartoonist Gerald Lip dies at 91

CARTOONIST Gerald Lip, who worked on legendary comic strips including Modesty Blaise and Rupert Bear has died aged 91.

A doyen of cartoon editors, Gerald worked for the Daily Express, Daily Mirror and now defunct Daily Sketch and Sunday Citizen.

Alluring heroine Modesty Blaise, who inspired three movies and a series of novels, was introduced in 1963.

He also had a hand in the Rupert Bear cartoon – still published in the Daily Express after more than 100 years.

At 16, Essex-born Gerald was the youngest artist to have his work displayed at the Royal Academy, London. But he later chose cartoons and Fleet Street over fine art.

During his national service he taught soldiers how to draw – and attendances soared when he hired a female model to pose nude.

Gerald died from a suspected heart attack last Thursday at home in Hove, East Sussex. He leaves wife Judy, daughters Elaine and Geraldine and four grandsons.

Ex-Daily Express editor Hugh Whittow said: “Gerald was a brilliant cartoonist who worked tirelessly to entertain his legion of admirers.”

Top draw...Gerald at the Daily Express’s Fleet Street office. He worked on Rupert Bear, above right, which has been drawn by several different artists over the years