Eric Sykes dies (1923-2012): Stars pay tribute to comedy legend

TV and radio writer and acting legend Eric Sykes has died aged 89, leaving a huge hole in the comedy world. Sykes, who worked with greats such as Tommy Cooper, Hattie Jacques, Tony Hancock and Spike Milligan, entertained seven generations of audiences with his gentle but zany comedic style.

Performers and fans of all ages have left tributes for Sykes with the media and on Twitter today (July 4). Keep reading for a small selection of the plaudits:



Stephen Fry on Twitter: "Oh no! Eric Sykes gone? An adorable, brilliant, modest, hilarious, innovative and irreplaceable comic master. Farewell, dear, dear man."

Jon Plowman, former Head of BBC Comedy: "We won't see his like again. He was a wonderful improviser. His genius was both as a scriptwriter but also someone who could do stuff off the cuff. He was classless and funny and warm."

TV comic Katy Brand on Twitter: "Eric Sykes goes just as the god particle is found - coincidence? I don't think so. RIP Eric."

Sherlock writer Mark Gatiss on Twitter: "The wonderful Eric Sykes has left us. A giant of comedy and a gentleman - funny to his very core. RIP."

Danny Baker on Twitter:‏ "Just heard about Eric Sykes. What a pleasure to be alive when he was. What gifts he leaves for writers yet to come."



The Thick Of It writer Simon Blackwell on Twitter: "Ah, bugger. Very sad to hear that Eric Sykes has died. Tremendous comic writer."

Monty Python's Michael Palin: "He was one of the nicest, most decent men in the business and one of a kind. No-one else could do what Eric could do. To me, he was a great inspiration, both as a writer and performer."

Robin Ince on Twitter: "Sad to see that Eric Sykes has died, the last link to many of the most important early post war comedians - a great entertainer'

Paul Daniels on Twitter: "RIP Eric Sykes. This man was a REAL Comic Genius and one of the funniest men you could ever meet and talk to."

Ken Dodd: "He was a joy to be with, a wonderful man to know, a genius. He was a genius at creating comedy, he found laughter in anything. More than anything else, he loved everybody and everybody loved him."

Sir Bruce Forsyth: "He was just one of the funniest men ever in comedy. What a shame so many young people would never have seen him in his prime."

Photo gallery - Eric Sykes's life in pictures:

Copyright: Rex Features Clifford Lang/Associated Newspapers