Television stars have led tributes to comedian Gareth Richards who died after being involved in a car crash last month. The 41-year-old died on Good Friday (April 7) after suffering a serious brain injury.
Frank Skinner initially revealed news of the accident during a message on his Absolute Radio show. Holding back the tears, Skinner said his friend had been involved in a "very big road accident".
On Saturday (April 8), Richards' wife confirmed he had died. She said: "It is with great sadness that I have to share that Gareth Richards passed away on Friday 7th April (Good Friday) at 6.30pm.
"He was in a terrible car accident on Monday 27th March at 11.30pm and sustained serious brain injuries. It was a miracle that he arrived at the hospital alive."
Now fellow stars from the comedy world have led tributes to Richards. Mock the Week's Russell Howard wrote: "Rip Gareth Richards. A brilliant comedian and a wonderful man. My thoughts are with his family."
Writing on Twitter, Jason Manford said: "Myself and the whole team at @ManfordsComedy are devastated to hear the news that Gareth Richards passed away.
"He was a wonderfully inventive & funny comedian but more importantly a kind & thoughtful man. Our thoughts are with his wife & children at this time.”
Stand up comic and regular Mock The Week panellist Angela Barnes wrote: “The news we’ve all been dreading has come that @garethrichards has left us. He was so funny and, above all, so kind and gentle. Love and strength to his family and friends and his comedy family who are all reeling from this. Rest in peace Gareth xxx”
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Emily Dean, who presented alongside Richards and Skinner on The Frank Skinner Show also paid tribute. She said: "God I will miss you Gareth Richards - my hilarious, unfailingly kind, gentle, beautiful friend. So grateful to have known you."
While Ed Gamble said: "When I did the Comedy Zone at the Fringe in 2009, I felt completely out of my depth. Luckily for me, I was sharing a bill with Gareth Richards.
"The kindest, gentlest soul I have ever encountered in comedy, and a towering talent. Don’t quite know how to compute that we’ve lost him."
Comedian Iain Stirling, who provides voice-over for Love Island, described Richards as a "very funny man". Posting on Twitter, he said: "Gareth Richards will forever be remembered as one of the kindest comedians in our industry. A very funny man. What a loss. Gareth you will be missed, may you rest in peace."
