Scottish comedy hero was 79

Veteran Scottish comedian Rikki Fulton has died at the age of 79.

He died last night in the Glasgow nursing home where he has been looked after for the past two years, since being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

Fulton was best-known for his role in Scotch And Wry - a Hogmanay sketch show rarely seen south of the border, but was an institution which ran for 14 years in Scotland. It started in 1978 and at its peak, half the country's entire population watched the show.

His most famous creation was the melancholy Presbyterian minister, Rev I.M. Jolly and he also appeared in a number of films, including Gorky Park, Local Hero and Comfort and Joy.

Before Scotch and Wry, Fulton was famous, at least in Scotland, for his role as a cocky Glaswedian wideboy in the double-act Francie and Josie - with Jack Milroy as Franci. They starred in their own sitcom in the Sixties.

Fulton's wife Kate, who was with him when he died, told the Glasgow Herald: "It was an incredibly peaceful end. Rikki had not been able to talk for the last couple of days but he was always a great kisser and had not lost that talent when he kissed me goodbye."

Comic and collaborator Tony Roper said: "Rikki's death will leave a massive hole in people's hearts. It is a huge loss and a great sadness. He cheered so many people into a new year with his television programmes. He brought such joy and for fleeting moments lifted our burdens."

Published: 28 Jan 2004