Post by Salem6 on Mar 11, 2005 13:14:05 GMT
Irish comedian Dave Allen, famed for his TV routines delivered as he sat on a stool, has died in his sleep aged 68.
Allen was famed for his dry routines
He was most famous for his dry-humoured TV shows Tonight With Dave Allen and Dave Allen at Large.
Allen got his first break on a BBC talent show in 1959, and toured with the Beatles in the UK and France.
His agent said he died in his sleep on Thursday night at his home in west London. He leaves a wife, Karin, and three children.
The BBC's head of comedy Jon Plowman called Allen a "wonderful comedian" who would be sadly missed.
Allen retired in 1999
"That extraordinary relaxed style with a cigarette in one hand and a glass of whiskey in the other as he buttonholed us with wonderful jokes and stories is the image that we shall remember," he told the BBC News website.
"He was a groundbreaker in many ways particularly in the jokes and sketches that had a go at religion - something that certainly came from his growing up in Ireland was sometimes quite tough for its day."
Mr Plowman added that Allen "tried to show the hypocrisies of the world as well as its funny side".
He said it was thankful that the comic's material was still available on radio and television, adding: "It is nevertheless the world is a sadder place for his passing."
Allen's first UK TV series was ITV's Tonight With Dave Allen, although he had become well-known through his guest spots on BBC One's The Val Doonican Show.
It was followed by Dave Allen At Large for the BBC, in which he developed his familiar themes of debunking religious rituals - inspired by his strict Catholic upbringing.
During the 1980s he moved onto an eponymous show simply featuring Allen with his trademark stool and glass of whiskey. One of his routines led to questions being asked in the House of Commons about his strong language.
It led to a 1991 stage show, An Evening With Dave Allen, and a series for ITV in 1993. He retired from performing in 1999.
VIDEO:-
A look at comedian Dave Allen's work news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4340115.stm#
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4340115.stm