‘A great entertainer’

Tributes continue to flood in to musical comedian Jason Wood, who died in his sleep at the weekend at the age of 38.

An autopsy is being carried out in an attempt to determine the cause of death.

His agents Hannah Chambers and Sophie Church issued a statement saying: ‘He was an inspiring and individual performer who believed that “variety” was the spice of life and whose wind-ups were legendary. He was also a warm-hearted and caring man. We have lost a friend as well as a client and he will be truly missed.’

Writing on Chortle, Phoenix Nights and Coronation Street actress Janice Connoly – aka comedy character Mrs Barbara Nice – said: ‘This is such sad news. He was a great entertainer.’

Stand-up John Fothergill said: ‘I will never forget the hilarious time we had in Cape Town. You were a sparklingly different highlight in the business and a joy to have known.’

And fellow comic Eddy Brimson said: ‘Jason was a great bloke, kind, considerate, great company and always up for a laugh but let us never forget he made his mark and brought a great deal of happiness to so many.’

Writing on her blog, Janey Godley said: ‘He transcended all the bitching, all the jealousy and all the clichés that comedy generates and actually made us better people for knowing him. It's not often in comedy you meet a gracious lovely human with no bad words to say about anyone and Jason Wood was that man. He was a great comic and amazing singer who worked the circuit all over the world.’

Among the first to pay tribute when news of his death over the weekend was Flight Of The Conchords star Rhys Darby, who Twittered: ‘Your wonderful humour and stunning voice will echo in the halls of hilarity for ever on... You were one of the good ones.’

Jim Jeffries said: ‘Just cried about the passing of Jason Wood, such a great guy. I will really miss him’, and Omid Djalii said he was a ‘lovely man’.

Wood was a regular headliner on the British comedy circuit and performed in Holland, Germany, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and the USA. He also represented England at a UN comedy festival held in South Africa and was working on material to take to Las Vegas at the time of his death,

He reached a wider audience when happeared on the first series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2004, alongside Natasha Kaplinski. He held the dubious honour of being the first person ever voted off the show.

Wood made his Edinburgh debut in 2001, and in 2006, his Fringe show received a damning one-star review by The Scotsman newspaper, but rather than be disheartened he proudly produced flashes for his posters saying: 'A star – The Scotsman.’

In 2008, he starred in Living TV's The Underdog Show, which revolved around dog training, while his previous appearances include BBC One primetime show 29 Minutes Of Fame and the hidden camera show, Spy TV.

He started his career in cabaret with the tribute act Cher Travesty, before moving on to the comedy circuit.

Here he is in action:

Published: 23 Feb 2010