Terry Joyce dies as tributes pour in for much loved comedian and Hebburn and Byker Grove star

Tributes have been flooding in from people in the entertainment world and friends and fans of Terry Joyce, after it was announced that the actor and popular comedian had died.

A star with a whole list of TV shows on his CV, South Tyneside native Terry was one of many famous faces from the North East to once appear in hit BBC series Byker Grove, with him joining the cast as Gerry in the 90s, after previously being in Super Gran and Spender, the hit Jimmy Nail programme, which ran for three series from 1991-3.

Other credits to Terry's name include Teesside shot fire brigade drama Steel River Blues, Badger with Jerome Flynn and more recently in hit BBC sitcom Hebburn, for which he took on the role of a solicitor, in a cast which also included Chris Ramsey, Gina McKee, Vic Reeves and Jason Cook. And Terry is also very well known across the North East and further afield for his many star turns on the comedy circuit.

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As soon as news of Terry's death broke on Saturday, social media was full of tributes to him. Radio presenter Paul 'Goffy' Gough took to Facebook to write: "Sad news today re the passing of the lovely Terry Joyce. A lovely lad & a fabulous comedian. Terry worked with the very best & they loved working with him. A huge loss to the North East & beyond. Rest in peace Terry & thanks for the many laughs."

Another Facebook tribute read: "R.I.P a true hebburn lad ,a good friend and will be a huge miss ,keep cracking those jokes Terry Joyce," while, fellow comic Sue Sweeney wrote: "So very sad to hear the news of the passing of one of the great North East Comedians and my Friend Terry Joyce, he was such a lovely man with the most incredible humour. Fly high Terry you gave us so many laughs.”