Comic Doug Healy loses his battle against brain tumour

Published on Wednesday 16 September 2009 09:54

A COMEDIAN who used his fight against a brain tumour as a source of material for his stand-up routine has lost his battle with the disease.

Doug Healy, 56, died last week after a decade-long struggle with cancer.

Fellow comedians have paid tribute to the Craiglockhart man, who was an able actor as well as a popular comic.

He was perhaps best-known for his impersonation of legendary Scots comedian Chic Murray, which received so much attention it led to the Murray family threatening legal action unless he stopped.

Edinburgh comedian and broadcaster Bill Barclay, who knew Mr Healy from the live gig circuit, said: "He was very, very funny, and a really nice guy.

"He did the Chic Murray thing really well. He even looked a bit like him."

Mr Healy introduced aspects of his battle with cancer into his act, which went down particularly well with audiences.

Mr Barclay added: "It's quite a natural thing for a comedian to do because it's what you're going through at the time.

"Roy Castle certainly did it when he had lung cancer, and even made light of the fact he didn't smoke."

In 2008, Mr Healy was described as a "walking miracle" after scans revealed the tumour had vanished.

It sparked huge celebration in the family, with him and wife Fiona going on holiday to France and Spain, and him resuming work, playing Pontius Pilate in a show at Princes Street Gardens last Easter.

Last August the tumour returned, and this time rendered him paralysed from the waist down.

Despite this, he still insisted on continuing to work, and was planning on writing a book called Living in the Departure Lounge. He also discovered religion, and became a passionate Christian.

Earlier this year, Mr Healy told the Evening News about his battle with cancer, and about how he had to read the paper to find out about his daughter Brooke, 24, had been up to.

She hit the headlines last year when tabloid newspapers reported a fling she had with England footballer Ashley Cole, only months after he had married Girls Aloud singer Cheryl.

A thanksgiving service for him was due to take place today at Charlotte Baptist Chapel, West Rose Street, at 1.30pm, followed by cremation at Seafield Crematorium.