Scots comedian Andy Gray has died at the age of 61 having contracted Covid-19. Tributes have poured in from friends and colleagues.
Long-time friend and co-star Allan Stewart said: “I can’t quite believe that he is gone. We worked together down in Milton Keynes rehearsing the pantomime just before Christmas and we had ten whole days of laughing and joking.
“But it wasn’t long after that when called and said he had Covid.
“The ironic thing about it is he had just gotten through this terrible cancer and beaten it so we obviously had the feeling that he would beat this as well because he’s got that kind of strength in him.
“We woke up this morning to the terrible news that he didn’t beat it. He’s been on a ventilator for over two weeks now and we have just been sending thoughts and hopes and everything we possibly could send to help him through but this terrible disease eventually beat him.
“It’s devastating, it really is.”
Capital Theatres, Edinburgh Tweeted “It is with enormous sadness that we have heard of the passing of our dear colleague and panto star, Andy Gray. We are still reeling from the news and are all absolutely devastated. We will all remember Andy with love, a smile and affection for the many years of fun, friendship and brightness he brought to all our lives and the entertainment he gave to so many generations of Panto’goers during his time at the King’s.