Yahoo News Jeremy Hardy Dead: Comedian And Blackadder Star Dies Of Cancer Aged 57
Comedian Jeremy Hardy died of cancer early on Friday, his publicist Amanda Emery has said.
Hardy was best known for his work on BBC Radio 4, appearing on ‘The News Quiz’, ‘I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue’ and ‘Jeremy Hardy Speaks to the Nation’.
He also played Corporal Perkins in ‘Blackadder Goes Forth’, set during World War 1.
He was outspoken in his political views and was a supporter of Jeremy Corbyn, speaking at a rally in 2016 when the Labour leader faced a leadership challenge from Owen Smith.
Hardy’s last tweet, posted on 8 January, was a dig at the former PM, Tony Blair.
I might go as far as to say, that if Tony Blair doesn’t reign in a tiny bit of an ego, he’ll give us hard Brexit and a Right-Wing Tory government.
— Jeremy Hardy (@JeremyJHardy) January 8, 2019
In a statement, Emery added: “Friends and family of comedian Jeremy Hardy are immensely sad to announce that Jeremy died of cancer, early on Friday 1st February.
“He was with his wife and daughter as he died. He retained to the end the principles that guided his life; trying to make the world more humane, and to be wonderfully funny.
“He will be enormously missed by so many, who were inspired by him and who laughed with him. A fitting memorial will take place, details to be announced soon.”
Fellow comedians and entertainers paid tribute to Hardy on Twitter. ‘Pointless’ host Richard Osman said he was “so naturally brilliant and funny”.
I was very lucky to work with Jeremy Hardy early in my career. Every day was a masterclass, a privilege. He was so naturally and brilliantly funny, and a man who chose to use his comedy to change the world, rather than to fill stadia. A very sad day. #RIPJeremy
— Richard Osman (@richardosman) February 1, 2019
Comedian Angela Barnes, who has appeared on both The News Quiz and Mock The Week, wrote on Twitter: “Utterly heartbroken to have to say goodbye to Jeremy Hardy.
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Utterly heartbroken to have to say goodbye to Jeremy Hardy. He was so very kind and supportive of me, I’ve had so many laughs sat next to him on the News Quiz and even more in the pub afterwards. So much love and strength to his family. Night Jeremy, cheers for the laughs xxx
— Angela Barnes (@AngelaBarnes) February 1, 2019
A tweet from the account of Radio 4 said he was “one of the funniest people around”.
We are desperately sad to announce that Jeremy Hardy, mainstay of I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue and The News Quiz, and one of the funniest people around, has died of cancer aged 57. Our thoughts are with all who knew and loved him. https://t.co/brZUlOZhHC pic.twitter.com/ZDa5EaUOjG
— BBC Radio 4 (@BBCRadio4) February 1, 2019
Hardy is survived by his wife, Katie, and his daughter, Elizabeth.
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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
