‘Baz leaves behind a life of fun, joy and silliness’
Family pays tribute to Yorkshire-born writer and comedian Barry Cryer, who has died at the age of 86
HE WAS the master of the droll retort, as sharp as a tack but with none of the spikiness. And as the death of comedy legend Barry Cryer was announced yesterday, the depth of the nation’s feelings for the man born in Leeds shone through.
The 86-year-old died “peacefully, in good spirits and with his family around him” on Tuesday afternoon at Northwick Park Hospital, in Harrow, northwest London.
His family recalled his “gift for friendship and a genius for putting people at their ease”.
During his seven-decade career, Cryer appeared on stage, screen and radio and wrote jokes for countless household names.
A statement from his family said: “Dad was a talented comedy writer and comedian in a particularly golden vintage.
“He never really liked the terms comedy writer or comedian, instead preferring hack and entertainer and always thought the term ‘national treasure’ meant he’d just been dug up.
“He was, in his words, arrogant in his humility. He had a gift for friendship (as anyone who still has a landline will testify) and a genius for putting people at their ease. Oh yes, and he made many people laugh. A lot. Over many years.
“Baz was, firstly, a loving husband to Terry for nearly 60 years and a gentle father to Tony, David, Jack, Bob. He was a friend to their partners Jayne, Matt, Garry and Suzannah.
“As a grandfather, Ruby, Tom, Evan, Archie, Hope, Martha and Connie all loved him and, more recently, Ruby’s daughter, Isobel, had the good fortune to spend time with him as a great grandfather.”
His family said a funeral would take place in the coming weeks and would be followed later by a “more inclusive” memorial service.
They also asked for messages, photos or videos to be submitted to a book of condolence, details of which will be announced on Twitter.
The family statement continued: “He leaves behind him a life of fun, joy, love and silliness and we’ll all be doing our best to maintain that legacy.
“He regularly told fantastic stories and anecdotes about others – the many brilliant and fascinating people he’d worked with and knew. But as he was loved and admired by so many, why don’t we start telling some stories about Baz and his brilliant and mischievous life and career?
“And to end, as Dad would say, ‘Same time tomorrow?”
Broadcaster and author Gyles Brandreth, a close friend, was among those paying tribute.
Sharing a photo of them together on Twitter, he said: “Here we are, only a few weeks ago. Baz was just the loveliest guy, funny and generous.
“He’d worked with everybody and everybody he worked with liked him.
“I shall miss his happy company so much – and his regular phone calls. He gave you a gem of a joke with each one.”
He added: “Wherever Barry went he brought laughter with him – even to memorial services. And he went to lots because he’d worked with everyone!
“He was generous about everyone: a great mentor and friend.”
Dame Esther Rantzen paid tribute to Cryer as an “encyclopaedia of humour”.
The TV presenter, who first worked with him in the 1960s, said: “In a way Barry was a genius but so unassuming that he would be astonished, I think, to be called a genius – but he was.” Cryer was born in Leeds and studied English literature at the University of Leeds.
He had a long-running partnership with Sir David Frost, with their collaborations
Wherever he went he brought laughter, even to memorial services. Close friend Gyles Brandreth paying tribute yesterday.
including The Frost Report on the BBC. He was also a panellist on BBC Radio 4’s I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue for more than four decades. He wrote for many stars of British comedy, including Ronnie Barker, Ronnie Corbett, Sir Billy Connolly, Morecambe and Wise, Tommy Cooper and Kenny Everett.
In 2018, he was handed a lifetime achievement award for his comedy career by the British Music Hall Society.
Cryer was made an OBE in 2001 and was a member of the entertainment charity the Grand Order of Water Rats.
He married his wife Theresa in 1962 and they have four children.
See David Behrens in tomorrow’s edition for more.