Jeremy Hardy: An actress and a star of Radio 4 die at the age of 57

Comedian Jeremy Hardy, a regular on BBC Radio 4 shows like The News Quiz and I'm sorry I do not have a clue, died of cancer at 57.

His death was confirmed Friday by his journalist Amanda Emery.

Hardy became known on the comedy circuit in the 1980s, winning the prestigious Perrier Award in 1988 and the best live act at the ITV Comedy Awards in 1991.

On television, he appeared on shows like IQ and the Now – Something Else sketch program.

Hardy was also an author and columnist, writing for ES Magazine and The Guardian.

In a statement, Hardy's publicist said that he had died early Friday and that he was with his wife and daughter at his death.

"He kept the principles that guided his life to the end, he tried to make the world more human and wonderfully funny," Emery said.

"He will be sorely missed by many people, inspired by him and laughing with him.

"An appropriate memorial will take place, the details will be announced shortly."

Richard Osman, a star of the useless, was among those who marked his pbading, claiming that Hardy had served comedy "to change the world". In 2016, Hardy appeared on Pointless Celebrities on BBC One.

BBC Radio 4 also expressed sadness over the loss of "one of the funniest people in the world".

Born in Farnborough, Hampshire in 1961, Hardy studied modern history and politics at the University of Southampton before embarking on a stand-up career.

From the beginning, he integrated his socialist policy into the act.

He made his television debut in 1986 in Now – Something Else, one of the first vehicles of the impressionist Rory Bremner. Hardy was a writer and also played Jeremy the Trainee.

Hardy also appears as Corporal Perkins in an episode of the BBC Blackadder Goes Forth comedy in 1989. Seven years later, he presents an episode of Top of the Pops.

Also in 1996, Hardy teamed up with comedian Jack Dee to write the Channel 4 skits, Jack and Jeremy's Real Lives. The pair would work together again later, I'm sorry, I do not have a clue.

Hardy became famous for his comic singing on the long radio game.

Political Views

He also introduced Jeremy Hardy to the nation, a series of lectures on comedy for BBC Radio 4, starting in 1993.

The episodes were based on topics as diverse as becoming a father and taking up the challenge of the 21st century. The 10th series of the show was broadcast in 2014.

And he appeared on BBC Radio 4 with his first wife, American actress and comedian Kit Hollerbach, in the sitcoms Unnatural Acts and At Home with the Hardys. They adopted a daughter, Elizabeth, in 1990.

A long-time socialist, Hardy's political views were often reflected in his work.

Until 2001, Hardy wrote a column for The Guardian newspaper in which he regularly expressed his support for the Socialist Alliance.

His latest column for the newspaper criticized the media for his "more humorous tone".

Frank comments

His opinions have not always been appreciated by his audience. In 2000, he was booed by members of the Just A Minute audience when he used the subject "pests" to trigger a rant against the royal family.

In 2004, the Burnley Council canceled one of Hardy's performances after stating in an episode of its talk show Speaks to the Nation that members and sympathizers of the British National Party (BNP) should be killed.

Hardy was one of many actors in the entertainment world to support the early release of Danny McNamee, convicted of the IRA bomb attack in Hyde Park in 1982, who had killed four members of the Household Cavalry and seven horses. The conviction of McNamee was quashed in 1998.

Hardy was also a strong advocate for Palestinian rights. In 2002, he traveled to the occupied West Bank to film the documentary Jeremy Hardy against the Israeli army.

Hardy is survived by his second wife, filmmaker and photographer Katie Barlow.

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