Exp an si oS tar sin tribute to comedy great S handling Lothian Buses set fo rn

TRIBUTES have poured in for US comedian Garry Shandling who has died at 66.

Friends, former collaborators and celebrity fans took to social media to pay their respects.

Ricky Gervais was among the first of several British stars to pay tribute. “RIP the great Garry Shandling. Surely, one of the most influ ential comedians of a generation,” he posted.

Gervais’ frequent comic partner Stephen Merchant tweeted: “The great Garry Shandling’s work is such a touchstone for me that I was actually discussing him moments before I heard the sad news. RIP”.

Monty Python’s Eric Idle said he “adored” the late comedian. “Oh no, not Garry Shandling,” he wrote. “I adored him. Such a funny sweet eccentric man. What is this year doing to us? I’ll miss him so damn much.”

Shandling was taken from his home in Brentwood, Los Angeles, by ambulance on Thursday morning for an unspecified medical emergency and pronounced dead at a hospital. Los Angeles County Coroner’s Lieutenant David Smith said medical records would be used to determine how he died, but according to Shandling’s publicist Alan Nierob, doctors at the hospit al said it appeared he died of a heart attack. LOTHIAN Buses, the UK’s largest publicly owned bus company, is recruiting drivers as part of an expansion plan that also brings the first fare hike in three years.

The Edinburghbased firm is to take on up to 40 new drivers and 10 apprentice engineers to help provide extra ser vices to meet increased customer demand throughout the capital and the Lothians.

Adult and child single tickets will also increase by 10p to £1.60 and 80p respectively, the first rise since 2013. Fares for all Daytickets will remain the same, as will Night Bus, Day & Night tickets, Airlink and Ridacard season tickets.

Jim McFarlane, General Manager at Lothian Buses, said: “The changes we have made are a direct response to feedback from our customers and we’re in a position to introduce them thanks to strong business performance over many years.

“We are also pleased that Lothian Buses will be able to benefit the city’s environment with further investment in low emission vehicles.”