Showbiz
Charlie Williams, a pioneering comedian who became famous in the 1970s, has died aged 78.
Williams, whose best known hit was series The Comedians, was considered the first black comedian to make it in the UK. He died at Barnsley General hospital after living for more than 10 years with dementia and Parkinson's disease.
Stephen Smith, Williams's biographer, said he was an "innovator" and "trailblazer" who had "opened the door for black performers to be accepted everywhere". He explained: "He made everybody laugh and in doing so became a household name."
The Yorkshire-born performer had been a professional footballer with Doncaster Rovers in the 1950s before launching his career in entertainment. He has been cited as an influence by many other black comedians such as Lenny Henry.
He was awarded an MBE in 1999 for his charity work.
Williams, whose best known hit was series The Comedians, was considered the first black comedian to make it in the UK. He died at Barnsley General hospital after living for more than 10 years with dementia and Parkinson's disease.
Stephen Smith, Williams's biographer, said he was an "innovator" and "trailblazer" who had "opened the door for black performers to be accepted everywhere". He explained: "He made everybody laugh and in doing so became a household name."
The Yorkshire-born performer had been a professional footballer with Doncaster Rovers in the 1950s before launching his career in entertainment. He has been cited as an influence by many other black comedians such as Lenny Henry.
He was awarded an MBE in 1999 for his charity work.
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