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Tim Brooke-Taylor death: Comedian and actor dies aged 79 after contracting coronavirus

He was best known as a member of The Goodies and regular panellist on ‘I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue’

Jacob Stolworthy
Sunday 12 April 2020 13:05 BST
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The Goodies perform the Funky Gibbon

Comedian and actor Tim Brooke-Taylor has died aged 79 after contracting coronavirus.

The news was confirmed by his agent, who said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that we announce Tim’s death early today from Covid-19.

“He was an exceptional client and a pleasure to represent. We’re grateful that we have so much of his work to view, read and listen to.”

The statement continued: “He had, of course, many fans whom he always treated cheerfully even after long and exhausting rehearsals and recordings.”

Brooke-Taylor was best known as a member of comedy group The Goodies alongside Graeme Garden and Bill Oddie.

The trio performed sketches as part of their very own TV show that ran from 1970 to 1982.

He also appeared on BBC radio show Sorry, I’ll Read That Again and was a frequent panellist on radio series I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue for more than 40 years.

Brooke-Taylor, who receive an OBE for services to comedy in 2011, also featured on TV series At Last the 1948 Show with Monty Python stars John Cleese and Graham Chapman.

His Goodies co-member Graeme Garden led the tributes, telling the BBC: “[I am] terribly saddened by the loss of a dear colleague and close friend of over 50 years.”

Others to post about the news on social media included Jack Dee, Shappi Khorsandi, David Mitchell and Richard Osman.

His comedy career began after he performed sketches at Cambridge University, and in 1964 he started touring around the world with the Footlights revue after becoming the amateur theatrical club’s president.

In 1971, he filmed a short uncredited role opposite Gene Wilder in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Brooke-Taylor appeared in numerous sitcoms throughout the 1980s and 1990s, including You Must Be the Husband, His and Hers and Me and My Girl.

From 1983 to 1986, Brooke-Taylor also narrated the animated TV series of Bananaman in which his fellow Goodies members provided the voices for several characters.

The actor and comedian would have turned 80 on 17 July.

He is survived by his wife Christine, whom he married in 1968, and their two sons, Ben and Edward.

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