The Goodies star Tim Brooke-Taylor has died aged 79 from coronavirus

12 April 2020, 14:40

Comedian Tim Brooke-Taylor has died at the age of 79 from coronavirus, his agent has confirmed.

The entertainer, best known as as one of comedy trio The Goodies and for the radio show I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue, died on Sunday (April 12).

His long-time friend Graeme Garden said he was "terribly saddened by the loss of a dear colleague and close friend of over 50 years".

"He was a funny, sociable, generous man who was a delight to work with."

"Audiences found him not only hilarious but also adorable. His loss at this dreadful time is particularly hard to bear, and my thoughts are with Christine, Ben, Edward and their families," Garden added.

Tim Brooke-Taylor's career began in the Cambridge Footlights, which he joined in 1960.

It was here he soon began working with Garden, Bill Oddie as and future Monty Python star Graham Chapman.

The Goodies "Funky Gibbon"

He formed the Goodies with Garden and Oddie, and later became a long-time panellist on I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue.

Comedian Jack Dee, who hosts I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue, said: "It has come as devastating news to hear that Tim has succumbed to this dreadful virus - especially when we all thought he was recovering.

"Tim was a delightful man and never anything but great company. It has always been one of the great joys of my career to work with someone who was part of the comedy landscape of my childhood."

He was also famous for co-writing and performing in the iconic 'Four Yorkshiremen' sketch with John Cleese, Chapman and Marty Feldman.

He also had a pop career with The Goodies, who scored five Top 40 hits including 1975's 'The Funky Gibbon'.