The veteran comedian John Fortune, famed for his roles in some of Britain’s most memorable satirical shows, has died, his agent said. He was 74.
Fortune, an award-winning performer who starred alongside John Bird and Rory Bremner, died peacefully this morning with his wife Emma and dog Grizelle at his bedside.
“It is with great sadness that I write of the death of John Fortune this morning aged 74,” Vivienne Clore, his agent, said.
“He died peacefully with his wife, Emma and dog Grizelle, at his bedside.
“A renowned satirist, early work included contributions to Peter Cook’s Establishment club and more latterly his work with long term collaborators, John Bird and Rory Bremner.
“He is survived by his adored wife, Emma and three children.”
Tributes were paid from across the world of television as news of his death broke.
His former co-star Bremner tweeted: “I’m so sorry to let you know that my dear friend John Fortune died this morning.
“Lovely man, dear friend, brilliant & fearless satirist.”
Ms Clore tweeted: “So formidable of brain and so fearless and generous of heart #RIP John Fortune”.
“Oh how sad John Fortune has died,” wrote Stephen Fry on Twitter. “He was in the first play I was ever in, 40 Years On. Huge influence on the satire boom. Loved parrots too”.
Fortune was best known for his sketches alongside fellow comedian John Bird.
The pair became household names for The Long Johns skits in which the double-act made witty characterisations of bumbling politicians, military figures and businessmen.
In 1997 he won a Bafta for Best Light Entertainment Performance for his work on Rory Bremner, Who Else? alongside Bremner and Bird.
He was also nominated four times for Baftas between 1999 and 2003.
A number of actors spoke of the influence Fortune had on their career.
John Challis, who played Boycie in Only Fools And Horses, who acted alongside Fortune, tweeted: “So sad to hear that John Fortune has died.
“I played henchman to his chief villain in Cat’s Eyes and we laughed a lot. Another goodun gone.”