Jeremy Hardy, the stand up comedian, who was a regular on BBC’s News Quiz and I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue, has died of cancer.
The 57-year-old was also an author and columnist, and in his stand up, the life-long socialist, stood by his political convictions.
That led to headlines in 2004, when he was banned by Burnley Council for saying members and supporters of the British National Party “should be shot.”
Burnley had 6 BNP councillors, but at the time, it said that the decision wasn’t on political grounds:
“On his Speaks to the Nation programme in September he made jokes about supporters and members of the BNP. He then went further than that saying they should be shot in the back of the head.
“Our attention was drawn to his comments and as a result, it was decided his show on 30 November should be cancelled.”
Adding:
“However, as a result of his comments, we do not the feel the event will be a night of comedy, and that the performance has the potential to be disruptive.”
Hardy’s publicist, Amanda Emery, said he died earlier today, with his wife and daughter by his side.
“He retained to the end the principles that guided his life; trying to make the world more humane, and to be wonderfully funny,” she said.
“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 have also paid tribute, with Julian Clary saying: “From the earliest days, he was always the funniest and brightest.”
Victoria Coren added that he was “so special and brilliant and mischievous, a miracle of a person.”
He made his debut on Now – Something Else, with Rory Bremner and played Corporal Perkins in Blackadder Goes Forth.
