Clive James Remembered In Tributes From Piers Morgan And Fellow Broadcasters
Piers Morgan and Stephen Fry have led the tributes to broadcaster Clive James, after news of his death was announced on Wednesday.
His family confirmed in a statement that the TV presenter and author had died on Sunday at the age of 80, with his funeral now having taken place.
Good Morning Britain host Piers was among the first to pay tribute to the Australian native, who he called “a brilliantly funny man”.
RIP Clive James, 80.
A brilliantly funny man. pic.twitter.com/hbuaQATLEU— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) November 27, 2019
Stephen also tweeted about his sadness after also learning about the deaths of theatre director Jonathan Miller and TV chef Gary Rhodes.
He said that Clive had been a “hero” of his while growing up, adding: “Very sorry to think they’re not in this world any more.”
Clive James and Jonathan Miller – two heroes of mine growing up. Each so wildly and profusely gifted in so many directions. Very sorry to think they're not in this world any more. And I just heard that Gary Rhodes has been snatched from us too. How very sad.
— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) November 27, 2019
Clive’s former co-star Margarita Pracatan said she was shocked by his death.
Sharing a picture of them together, she wrote: “Saying goodbye is so shocking. Makes you quiet rewinding the memories. So many. Years and years of that intelligence and the talent and beautiful way of living, always to do excellence [sic].
“Thank you, #CliveJames from the bottom of my heart. You live forever with us.”
Saying goodbye is so shocking. Makes you quiet rewinding the memories. So many. Years and years of that intelligence and the talent and beautiful way of living, always to do excellence. Thank you, #CliveJames from the bottom of my heart. You live forever with us. #CliveJamesRIP pic.twitter.com/Pz56nwt61x
— Margarita Pracatan (@PracatanBaby) November 27, 2019
Other famous faces from the world of entertainment and broadcasting rushed to share their thoughts and condolences online...
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RIP #CliveJames 💔 What a spirit you were! I remember our interview so well. I can’t remember half of what we were referring to (!) but your charm, wit and kindness made it an absolute joy. Thanks for being my dance partner! Love to your family. https://t.co/EmQMGcXxJn pic.twitter.com/II1F2yzcBr
— Kylie Minogue (@kylieminogue) November 28, 2019
Woe, Clive James has also died, the best telly critic that ever there was, who once described Barbara Cartland’s face as looking like two crows that had crashed into the white cliffs of Dover. #RIPCliveJames pic.twitter.com/r4sX1MfxTT
— Richard Coles (@RevRichardColes) November 27, 2019
A day of full of sadness and heartbreak today..😥
Clive James, the Australian-born critic, author, poet and TV host, has died aged 80 💔 #RIPCliveJames pic.twitter.com/CybKluwZbn— RussellGrant.Com (@RussellGrantcom) November 27, 2019
Ah, Clive James. You bright, beaming boy. Our loss.#CliveJames
— Alison Moyet (@AlisonMoyet) November 27, 2019
Britain’s culture is a much poorer place without Clive James. A sad loss. A brilliant novelist, critic and poet of our generation. Had the pleasure of working with him and read every single word he wrote. He turned witty and sharp TV criticism into an art form.
— Quentin Willson (@QuentinWillson) November 27, 2019
Oh no. https://t.co/Pgm971cgYl
— Susanna Reid (@susannareid100) November 27, 2019
Sad news, just heard that Clive James has died.
— David Sillito BBC (@DavidSillitoBBC) November 27, 2019
So sad. He died 'knowing he'd experienced more than his fair share of this great, good world' #CliveJames https://t.co/5gtDUzfKMY
— Sian Williams (@sianwilliams100) November 27, 2019
What a sad day for Arts and Entertainment. Now it's been announced that Clive James died at the weekend at the age of 80 https://t.co/2v3AZQsdXu pic.twitter.com/7PQI4rORX0
— lizo mzimba (@lizo_mzimba) November 27, 2019
Clive died nearly 10 years after being diagnosed with terminal leukaemia.
In their statement, his family said he “endured his ever-multiplying illnesses with patience and good humour, knowing until the last moment that he had experienced more than his fair share of this ‘great, good world’”.
They added: “He was grateful to the staff at Addenbrooke’s hospital for their care and kindness, which unexpectedly allowed him so much extra time. His family would like to thank the nurses of the Arthur Rank Hospice at Home team for their help in his last days, which allowed him to die peacefully and at home, surrounded by his family and his books.”
Clive was born in Australia in 1939 but moved to the UK in 1961 where he became known for hosting late-night ITV show Clive James On Television from 1982 to 1988, which featured featuring comical clips from shows around the world.
It was later presented by Keith Floyd and Chris Tarrant and respectively renamed Floyd On Television and Tarrant On TV, which came to an end in 2006.
Clive was also known as an author, poet and TV critic.
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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
