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Comedian Felix Dexter dies of cancer | Comedian Felix Dexter dies of cancer |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Friends have paid tribute to Felix Dexter, who died on Friday. | Friends have paid tribute to Felix Dexter, who died on Friday. |
The comedian and actor had suffered from myeloma, a type of bone marrow cancer. Reports said he was 52. | The comedian and actor had suffered from myeloma, a type of bone marrow cancer. Reports said he was 52. |
Colleagues and peers used Twitter to praise the St Kitts-born Londoner, with comedian David Baddiel mourning a "real loss to comedy". | Colleagues and peers used Twitter to praise the St Kitts-born Londoner, with comedian David Baddiel mourning a "real loss to comedy". |
He came to prominence in the flagship black comedy The Real McCoy and later performed for a season with the Royal Shakespeare Company. | He came to prominence in the flagship black comedy The Real McCoy and later performed for a season with the Royal Shakespeare Company. |
Fellow comedian Sean Hughes wrote on Twitter: "So so sad to hear about the truly wonderful Felix Dexter passing away. | Fellow comedian Sean Hughes wrote on Twitter: "So so sad to hear about the truly wonderful Felix Dexter passing away. |
"I hope you can feel the love in the comedy community fella. Rip." | "I hope you can feel the love in the comedy community fella. Rip." |
Bill Bailey wrote: "Very sad news about my old friend Felix Dexter. A brilliant comedian, a superb comic actor, a lovely man I feel privileged to have known." | Bill Bailey wrote: "Very sad news about my old friend Felix Dexter. A brilliant comedian, a superb comic actor, a lovely man I feel privileged to have known." |
'Talented, articulate performer' | 'Talented, articulate performer' |
Once named Time Out comedian of the year, Dexter also featured in iconic BBC comedies The Fast Show and Absolutely Fabulous. | Once named Time Out comedian of the year, Dexter also featured in iconic BBC comedies The Fast Show and Absolutely Fabulous. |
More recently, he played three of the main roles in BBC Two's sketch show Bellamy's People and is currently appearing in Citizen Khan. | More recently, he played three of the main roles in BBC Two's sketch show Bellamy's People and is currently appearing in Citizen Khan. |
His close friend, BBC Radio London presenter Eddie Nestor - who acted alongside Dexter for three years in The Real McCoy - told BBC Radio 5 Live: "It's a sad day. It's a really sad day. I went to see him and we talked and we laughed, and we laughed really hard. | |
"This is somebody who's been diagnosed with a terminal illness and you find yourself laughing really hard, belly laughs." | "This is somebody who's been diagnosed with a terminal illness and you find yourself laughing really hard, belly laughs." |
He added: "We've lost a talented, intelligent, articulate performer who could touch - who could reach out." | He added: "We've lost a talented, intelligent, articulate performer who could touch - who could reach out." |
Before entering comedy, Dexter studied law - something he said helped him deal with hecklers. | Before entering comedy, Dexter studied law - something he said helped him deal with hecklers. |
He named Billy Connolly and the late American comics Richard Pryor and Bill Hicks among his influences, and remained on the stand-up circuit throughout his career. | He named Billy Connolly and the late American comics Richard Pryor and Bill Hicks among his influences, and remained on the stand-up circuit throughout his career. |
Later he featured in long-running staples Have I Got News You and Grumpy Old Men, as well as the influential Knowing Me Knowing You with Alan Partridge. | Later he featured in long-running staples Have I Got News You and Grumpy Old Men, as well as the influential Knowing Me Knowing You with Alan Partridge. |
As an actor, he had parts in Casualty and the Bill and appeared in the West End alongside Christian Slater. | As an actor, he had parts in Casualty and the Bill and appeared in the West End alongside Christian Slater. |