Tributes have been paid to comedian/writer George Jeffrie who has died.
Jeffrie co-wrote hit C4 sitcom The Windsors with fellow comedian Bert Tyler-Moore – Jeffrie is pictured left, Tyler-Moore right.
He also co-wrote comedies Pete vs Life and Star Stories as well as sketches for many other performers including Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse, Smack The Pony, Mitchell and Webb and Armstrong and Miller and many more. They also wrote the Harry Enfield one-off spoof comedy Island of Dreams and with Tyler-Moore again Jeffrie was one of the writers on the forthcoming revival of Spitting Image.
Before becoming a screenwriter he was a comedian on the circuit, performing in clubs and at the Edinburgh Fringe in the double act Chris and George with Christopher Murray.
His death was sudden and unexpected and, according to a post from Christopher Murray who has spoken to George Jeffrie's wife, the cause was a heart attack during a game of tennis last weekend.
A number of comedians who worked with Jeffrie and knew him paid tribute on Facebook on a post by Andre Vincent who wrote: "Just heard that the lovely George Jeffrie from the one time brilliant double act “Chris & George” has passed away. Gutting.."
Richard Herring, whose double act partner Stewart Lee appeared in an Edinburgh package show with Jeffrie in the early 1990s wrote: "That’s very sad. Gigged with those guys a lot in the early 90s. RIP."
Al Murray wrote on Facebook: "Incredibly sad news".
Comedian Charmian Hughes said of the duo Chris and George: "I remember them both so well, lovely chap and very funny and also kind."
Phil Whelans wrote: "I used to play tennis with him in Clissold Park before he moved away. No one ever had a bad word to say about him. Genuinely lovely bloke."
Jo Caulfield wrote: "How sad. I remember them doing The Meccano Club - always so friendly and funny. Much too young."
On Twitter Rufus Jones wrote: "Worked with George a few times on shows like Pete vs Life. Lovely, lovely fella."
Jenny Eclair tweeted: "Lovely , lovely bloke to work with - kind, gentle, patient and wonderfully funny - condolences to all his nearest and dearest"
Dave Lamb posted: "Absolutely gutted to hear of the passing of George Jeffrie. Such a lovely, funny man. Ah shit."
Sanjeev Bhaskar, one of the stars of The Kumars At 42, which Jeffrie worked on tweeted: "Awfully sad news at losing #GeorgeJeffrie, a lovely, warm darling of a man and of course brilliantly funny. It was always a joy to see him and Bert walk in to the Kumars rehearsal room and to await their joyous contributions #RIP"
Writer Simon Blackwell, who also worked on The Kumars, wrote: "George was such a lovely, lovely bloke, and so funny. I worked with him and Bert on the Kumars and it was a joy to go to work. No-one has ever made me laugh so hard. My love and condolences to his family and friends. A horrible loss."
Producer Caroline Norris tweeted: "George was an absolute joy to work with. He wrote brilliant stuff for me on Tracey Ullman and Armstrong & Miller and was so much fun to have on any team. I adored his work. I am devastated that he’s gone. So much love to Bert and to all George’s family."
Writer Jason Hazeley tweeted: "George has checked out. He was a brilliant and tireless writer, and his absence is sharply felt. We already miss you, George. Thanks for being here. You left a lot of laughter. xxx"
