A king of his profession, Gerard Kelly dies aged 51

SCOTLAND's theatre and comedy world was united in shock yesterday over the death of actor Gerard Kelly, a stalwart of Scottish pantomime, who will be mourned by a huge body of fans of his popular television and stage roles.

• Distinguished career: Gerard Kelly

Tributes poured in for the Glaswegian actor, who was best known for his role as Willie Melvin in the popular 1980s comedy City Lights. He died suddenly at the age of 51 after reportedly collapsing at his London home on Wednesday.

A spokesman for the family, Gary Barak, said he "passed away suddenly and peacefully" following a brain aneurism at the West Middlesex University Hospital on Thursday night with his family and close friends at his side.

"Gerard will be deeply missed by his friends and family, and indeed his huge fan base across his beloved Scotland and further afield," said Mr Barak.

"He was a private and gentle man, and his family and friends would appreciate privacy during this sad and difficult time."

Fellow performers lined up to praise his talent, from his portrayal of the hapless aspiring author Melvin, to roles in Rab C Nesbitt, Scotch and Wry and EastEnders, to three scene-stealing appearances in Ricky Gervais' Extras. He played more serious parts, such as the villain Callum Finnegan in Brookside.

• Gerard Kelly: City light

• Obituary

Mr Kelly was due to star in The Rocky Horror Show at the King's Theatre in Glasgow next month, playing The Narrator, a role he previously performed in Edinburgh and Aberdeen, before beginning his regular pantomime run in this year's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

A statement released by the theatre said: "Everyone at the King's Theatre is shocked and saddened by the news of our dear friend. The King's Theatre crown has lost one of its most precious jewels."

Actor Gregor Fisher, who played Rab C Nesbitt, said: "He was a dear, sweet and funny man, and I shall miss him very much. Too soon as far as I'm concerned. Too, too soon."

Comedian and actress Elaine C Smith, who knew Mr Kelly for more than 25 years, said she "greatly admired" him as an actor. She said: "He was a warm, kind, funny human being. We had lots of similar views on politics and the world. One of my fondest memories is of me dressed as a fairy and Gerard as Wishy Washy as we stood discussing the situation in Palestine. We worked together on City Lights and in numerous pantos, and I remember being so impressed when I first saw him act in Donal and Sally.He will be sadly missed by so many."

Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman theatre critic, said: "The really important thing about his panto roles was he was not only a brilliant performer on the night, with great comic timing, but he could make a theatre the size of the King's in Glasgow feel tiny, just like a little front room.

"He had also really studied and worked with the greats of panto, like Stanley Baxter. He had a huge fund of knowledge about how panto works and the traditional comic routines that you can insert into the various different pantos to make them work. He actually knew why he was doing what he was doing."

Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray said: "I was shocked and saddened to hear about the death of Gerard Kelly, who endeared himself to the Scottish public through his TV and theatre performances. His contribution to Scotland's cultural life will be sadly missed and fondly remembered."x