Goodies star dies
AS one of the famous comic trio
The Goodies in the 1970s, Tim Brooke-taylor found international fame and earned a special place in the hearts of millions of TV viewers.
Now those fans, along with friends and colleagues, have been paying tribute to the star who died yesterday morning, having contracted the coronavirus.
Comedian Eddie Large, playwright Terrence Mcnally, singer-songwriter John Prine and musician Adam Schlesinger are among other public figures to have died from the virus.
Brooke-taylor, best known as one- third of The Goodies – alongside Graeme Garden and Bill Oddie – began his acting career at Cambridge University where he was president of the famed Footlights performing arts club. He was also a regular panellist on Radio 4’s
I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue show for more than 40 years.
The 79-year-old’s agent released a statement yesterday, saying: “It is with great sadness that we announce Tim’s death early today from Covid-19.
“Joining Footlights in 1960 took him to providing a huge variety of splendid entertainment – television, radio, theatre, film, books, DVDS, CDS, quizzes, etc – all of which he undertook with energy and a great sense of fun.
“We will remember him for so much but must just mention The Goodies and I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue. He had, of course, many fans whom he always treated cheerfully even after long and exhausting rehearsals and recordings.
“He was an exceptional client and a pleasure to represent. We’re grateful we have so much of his work to view, read and listen to.
“In all the time with us and in all his showbiz work, he has been supported by Christine, his wife.”
Brooke-taylor toured internationally with the Footlights revue in 1964, before finding wider recognition for his work on BBC Radio with I’m Sorry, I’ll Read That Again.
He then moved into television with At Last The 1948 Show, where he starred alongside John Cleese and Graham Chapman.
But it was as one of The Goodies that he found global fame, earning household name status in Australia and New Zealand and attracting millions of viewers in its heyday in a golden era of 1970s television.
His Goodies co-star Garden said he was “terribly saddened by the loss of a dear colleague and close friend of over 50 years”.
He said in a statement: “Tim and
I met at Cambridge University in the early 1960s and have enjoyed working together almost constantly from that time onwards, on radio, stage, and TV.
“He was a funny, sociable, generous man who was a delight to work with. Audiences found him not only hilarious but also adorable.
“His loss at this dreadful time is particularly hard to bear.”
Bill Oddie said: “Fifty years and he only got cross with me once... well maybe twice... no quite a lot actually! No one could wear silly costumes or do dangerous stunts like Tim. I know it hurt cos he used to cry a lot. Sorry Timbo. A true visual comic and a great friend.”
I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue’s current host, Jack Dee, paid tribute: “It has come as devastating news to hear that Tim has succumbed to this dreadful virus, especially when we all thought he was recovering.
“Tim was a delightful man and never anything but great company.
“It’s always heartbreaking to lose a loved one, but these times have created the cruellest of circumstances for that to happen in.”
Sioned Wiliam, Radio 4’s commissioning editor for comedy, added: “Tim Brooke-taylor had a long and distinguished career in comedy.
“He was charming, quick-witted and a hugely skilful comic.
“He was much loved both by our listeners and by his colleagues, and he will be sorely missed by all at Radio 4.”
Comedian and actor Rob Brydon, who appeared alongside Brooke-taylor on I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue, tweeted: “A wonderful man, so many happy times sat next to him on I’m Sorry I
Tim was a delightful man and never anything but great company
Haven’t A Clue. My thoughts are with his family.”
Stephen Fry also paid tribute, saying: “Just heard the devastating news of the death of Tim Brooke-taylor. A hero for as long as I can remember, and – on a few golden occasions – a colleague and collaborator on I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue. Gentle, kind, funny, wise, warm, but piercingly witty when he chose to be. So sad.”
Little Britain star David Walliams recalled The Goodies’ influence on him as a boy.
He said on his Twitter page: “I was obsessed with The Goodies as a child, the first comedy show I really loved.
“I queued up to get the Goodies’ autographs as a grown-up, and got to meet Tim Brooke-taylor more recently at a party. I was in total awe, but he was so kind & generous. It is so sad he is gone.”
Scottish impressionist Rory Bremner also paid tribute to Brooke-taylor as a “true team player”.
He said: “So sad that lovely – and much loved – Tim Brooke-taylor has died.
“Always a Goodie, his modesty belied a huge legacy in British comedy.
“His huge list of credits (many with the great Johncleese) is testament to his humour, his ability and timing, his kindness and dependability – a true team player – and a funny, lovely man to boot.”