Tony Slattery has been described as the “gentlest, sweetest soul” following his tragic death. The 65-year-old comedian died two days after suffering a heart attack, his devestated partner announced.
His old friend, Sir Stephen Fry, has spoken of his “deeply talented wit” following the news of his death. The actor and broadcaster said it was a “cruel irony that fate should snatch him from us” when Slattery had begun to emerge from his “lifelong battle with so many dark demons”.
Tony had recently been touring with a comedy show in England and launched a podcast, Tony Slattery’s Rambling Club, in October. He was known for appearences on the Channel 4 comedy improvisation show Whose Line Is It Anyway? and comedy shows Just A Minute and Have I Got News For You, Mirror reports.
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He appeared alongside Stephen and an array of other stars in the 1992 comedy Peter’s Friends, written by Sir Kenneth Branagh, about members of an acting troupe who graduated from University of Cambridge. Stephen wrote on Instagram: “So very sad to have lost the wonderful Tony Slattery, just about the gentlest, sweetest soul I ever knew. Not to mention a screamingly funny and deeply talented wit and clown.”
Stephen Fry (bottom of pic) with (from left) Jennifer Saunders, Hugh Laurie, Emma Freud and Tony Slattery
(Image: PA/PA Wire)
Tony’s partner, Mark Michael Hutchinson, announced the sad news on Tuesday, Janaury 14. They had been together for nearly 40 years after meeting in 1986 during a run of Me and My Girl in the West End.
Mark said: “It is with great sadness we must announce actor and comedian Tony Slattery, aged 65, has passed away today, Tuesday morning, following a heart attack on Sunday evening.”
Phoenix Nights star Ted Robbins said he was “devastated” to hear his “dear friend” had died. He said: “He was hugely talented, immensely kind and we shared so many wonderful times.”
Actor James Dreyfus thanked Slattery for making him laugh “long and hard” every time he saw him. Tributes have also been paid by comedians Richard K Herring and Al Murray, along with radio DJ Mike Read. Comedian and actor Les Dennis remembered Slattery as a “wonderful talent” and a “nice man”.