The funeral of Kim Kinnie took place today at Daldowie Crematorium in Glasgow.
Kinnie was the much-loved comedy booker at the Comedy Store in the 1980s and 1990s. He was 74 and died on February 11.
He later returned to Scotland and worked in television where he championed stand-up talent on the series Funny Farm. He also worked on Comedy Rules, Win, Lose or Draw, Wolf It, Get Wet, On Safari, Uncle Dad and Butterfingers.
The comedy industry has been paying tribute to him since his death. Don Ward, who has run the Comedy Store for many years went up to Glasgow from London for the funeral.
Jack Dee tweeted: "I’ll raise a glass to Kim Kinnie. He was massively helpful and supportive in my early days at the Comedy Store."
Julian Clary wrote: "Kim Kinnie helped so many of us on our way. RIP."
David Baddiel wrote: "Ah. Kim gave me my first gigs at The Comedy Store. He was a mentor and a mensch. RIP."
Kevin Day wrote: "He was responsible for the fame of many comedians and the profits of many vineyards. His advice was always right if not always wanted and his hard stare would make Paddington Bear queasy. I loved him. Comedy has lost a tiny giant. Spiritual godfather to many comedians, actual godfather to one, Kim Kinnie has left the building. RIP dear man." Kinnie was the godfather of Day's son Ed, who is now a comedian himself, under the name of Ed Night.
Fred MacAulay tweeted today: "Today I’m in France, my head in the clouds but my heart is in Glasgow. R.I.P. KimKinnie. x"
An obituary in The Scotsman described the man who was famous for standing at the Store's sound desk with a glass of red wine in his hand: "He was small in stature but gigantic in personality and his natural sparkle and sound judgement led to highly watchable TV which earned the respect and affection of those he managed."
Veteran comedian/writer Dave Cohen said: "To say Kim Kinnie booked the Comedy Store doesn’t tell the half of it. He cared for all of us who worked there even when things weren’t working out”.
An obituary in The Glasgow Herald recalled that Kinnie had originally been a 'choreographer' for strippers when the first Comedy Store in London started up in the same venue. Kinnie wasn't an immediate convert, but Don Ward hired Kinnie as booker and came to love "his" comedians, greeting them with an enormous glass of red wine in his hand and a cheery "p*** off!"
