Andy Smart, a comedian, died “unexpectedly” at the age of 63.
Andy’s daughter Grace shared the news on social media today (May 17).
She wrote: “I’m very sorry to let you all know that dad passed away unexpectedly last night.
“He had so many friends and such a great life. Raise a glass for him.”
Following Grace’s statement, condolences to the comic, who performed with The Comedy Store Players alongside fellow comedian Eddie Izzard, have already flooded in.
Eddie responded to Grace’s tweet with, “Very sad to hear this Grace. Andy was a brilliant improviser and a really humorous dude. His brilliance will be sorely missed.”
In addition, comedian and actor Rufus Hound paid respect to the deceased on social media.
He penned: “Absolutely heartbroken. There will be others that will speak of his talent, but simply one of the great MEN died.”
“A lust for revelry in all forms, there’s less light today. Will be drinking to him tonight. What a lad.”
Meanwhile former Mock The Week presenter Dara Ó Briain, wrote: “That is such terrible news, I’m so sorry to hear that.
“Condolences to Andy’s family and friends; he was such a force for joy, and will be sorely missed.”
Before his untimely death, Andy appeared most Sunday nights to perform live improv with the group at The Comedy Store club in Soho, London.
Taking openly about becoming a Comedy Store Player, Andy previously said: “I was only a guest up until ’96, a full player from then. I was lucky because there were quite a few people they could have chosen.
“I’m very fortunate, really,” he added.
Andy’s career began in the mid-1980s as part of a duo act called The Vicious Boys with Angelo Abedi.
The team went on to have enormous success, winning the Time Out Street Entertainer Award in 1984.
Since the news of his passing fans have also paid tribute online.
Taking to Twitter, one person wrote: “Some of Andy Smart’s stories were so amazing I’m surprised he didn’t end them with ‘Of course I was very, very drunk’ like that bloke off the Fast Show!”
