Have you heard the one about the couple and the Archbishop...? Barry Cryer bows out with one final joke

It was a fitting way for Barry Cryer to bow out: telling the perfect joke.

The veteran comedy writer and star of Radio 4’s I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue died in hospital on Tuesday, aged 86.

In a statement, his family said: “It’ll be of no surprise to those that knew and worked with him that he was telling an Archbishop of Canterbury joke to a nurse not long before he died.

“That was one of his gifts, making strangers feel welcome. Making them laugh.”

That joke is likely to be the one that Cryer told to a friend, Ben Preston, when he called him two weeks ago, and which Preston shared on Twitter:

Preston recalled: “And then Barry cackled with delight because he’d told the gag to a real bishop - who’d roared with laughter. And nothing made Barry happier than that.”

In a statement, Cryer’s family said he “died peacefully, in good spirits, and with his family around him” at Northwick Park Hospital in north-west London.

It is understood that Cryer had been diagnosed with cancer, and the family thanked Macmillan Cancer Support for their “comforting words and guidance”.

In their tribute, the family said: “Dad was a talented comedy writer and comedian in a particularly golden vintage.

“Incidentally, he never really liked the terms ‘comedy writer’ or ‘comedian’, insteading preferring ‘hack’ and ‘entertainer’ and always thought the term ‘national treasure’ meant he’d just been dug up.

“He was, in his words, arrogant in his humility.”

Cryer was one of the most prolific writers in British comedy, providing jokes for The Two Ronnies, Morecambe and Wise, Dave Allen, Les Dawson and Kenny Everett, but he was also a star in his own right and one of the most popular figures in the industry.

He was a regular panellist on I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue, and recently launched a podcast with his son, Bob, titled Now, Where Were We?.

In 2018, he was handed a lifetime achievement award for his comedy career by the British Music Hall Society.

Tim Davie, director-general of the BBC, said: “Barry Cryer was a uniquely funny, talented and generous person. He was an incredible comedian and writer. If you heard or saw a great sketch there was always a good chance Barry was behind it.

“He worked with every major showbiz legend because everyone wanted to work with him. Barry will be hugely missed by his many friends at the BBC and the wider public.”

His family said a funeral would take place in the coming weeks and would be followed later by a “more inclusive” memorial service.

The family also asked for messages, photos or videos to be submitted to a book of condolence, details of which would also be announced on Twitter.

'Barry brought laughter with him - even to memorial services'

Also paying tribute, the actor Gyles Brandreth said: “Wherever Barry went he brought laughter with him - even to memorial services. And he went to lots because he'd worked with everyone! He was generous about everyone: a great mentor & friend.”

Writer and broadcaster Victorian Coren Mitchell tweeted a photo of Cryer at her wedding to comedian David Mitchell.

Dame Esther Rantzen paid tribute to Cryer as an “encyclopedia of humour”.

The TV presenter, who first worked with Cryer in the 60s, said: “In a way Barry was a genius, but so unassuming that he would be astonished, I think, to be called a genius - but he was.

“His jokes were brilliantly crafted and a constant joy. He would ring his friends up with his latest parrot jokes or with some reflection on what was happening. He was so generous with his wit.”

The comedian Stephen Fry said: “Such sad news, one of the absolute greats of British comedy, Barry Cryer, is no more. A glorious, gorgeous, hilarious and gifted writer and performer who straddled all the comic traditions. Universally beloved... farewell, Baz.”