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Phil Jerrod: Tributes to 'the loveliest man' after comedian and Mock the Week writer's death, aged 42

Tributes are being paid to the "incredibly kind and talented" comedian Phil Jerrod, who has died of cancer.

His agents, Off The Kerb, announced the news on social media, saying the star, who was 42, died with his wife, Beck, by his side.

The Brighton-based comedian had been a writer for radio and TV shows The Now Show, The News Quiz and Mock The Week, and his stand-up career saw him support the likes of Romesh Ranganathan and Seann Walsh on tour.

Ranganathan was among those paying tribute, posting on Instagram: "Phil Jerrod was one of my very best friends and I loved him dearly. He was a brilliant comic, but more importantly one of the kindest and loveliest men you could ever meet. You would always feel better for having spent time with him. I will miss him so much."

Other comedians including Nish Kumar and Angela Barnes also shared tributes, with Kumar describing Jerrod as "a great comic and a lovely man".

Barnes said Jerrod died on Saturday and that she was "utterly heartbroken".

"On Saturday we had to say goodbye to one of my best friends, the incomparable Phil Jerrod," she said. "One of the most loving, funniest and most creative people I've known."

Jerrod had been suffering from sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that affects bone and soft tissue.

As well as his TV writing and stand-up, Jerrod also hosted the Crash Bang Wallop podcast, launched in 2018, in which he discussed famous disasters with fellow comedian Phil Lucas.

Paying tribute, Lucas said it was "the saddest news to share about the most intelligent, talented, funny and decent [person] I could ever wish to have met".

After starting in stand-up in 2012, Jerrod won the award for best debut at Leicester Comedy Festival in 2015.

"Really really sad news about Phil Jerrod," a statement said on the festival's Twitter account. "We always loved having him at the festival and our thoughts are with his close friends and family. Good night and thank you Phil."

Other comedians to pay tribute include Toby Hadoke and Fern Brady.

In their tribute, Off The Kerb said: "Phil's critically acclaimed stand-up and comedy writing meant he was incredibly respected by his peers, supporting and writing with many of his comedy heroes.

"Phil was a dear friend to us, an incredibly kind and talented man, who was taken far too soon. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him."

Off The Kerb also represented fellow comic Sean Lock, who also died of cancer earlier this month.