Comedian and actor Tony Slattery has died aged 65 following a heart attack, his partner said.
Slattery appeared 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.
A statement on behalf of his partner Mark Michael Hutchinson 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.”
Born November 9, 1959, in London, Slattery was the contemporary of Dame Emma Thompson, Sir Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie at the University of Cambridge.
He was the former president of the improvisation group Cambridge Footlights, and had recently been touring a comedy show in England and launched a podcast, Tony Slattery’s Rambling Club, in October.
Tony Slattery was best known for appearing on shows such as Whose Line Is It Anyway? and Have I Got News For You (Supplied)
Slattery is survived by his partner of more than three decades, the actor Hutchinson.
A number of tributes have been paid to the late star on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.
“Tony Slattery was one of the funniest people I have ever met,” penned one fan.
“There is another side to genius, and Tony had his troubles, but they were behind him and his future looked very rosy. RIP Sir. Thank you for the laughs.”
A second echoed: “God Love and keep Beloved Tony Slattery beautiful man. So sad. Rest in Peace Angel. Xxxxx.”
Tony Slatter was hailed on social media by one fan as ‘a true comedian of my generation’ (Evening Standard)
Meanwhile, a third put in: “I’m saddened to hear about the death of Tony Slattery at 65.
“A genuinely funny man, he was the presenter of the TV version of Trivial Pursuits which I appeared on in the early 90s. A charming presenter, his later life was less happy, but I’ll remember him fondly.”
“Sad to hear the news that Tony Slattery has died. A true comedian of my generation – RIP Tony,” added a fourth. (sic)
This is a breaking news story and is being updated.