'Ayli' fell ill after gig

He had been in hospital for the past month with serious bowel problems after falling ill following a gig in Walsall.

Plant and comedy partner Alan Smith had been performing in more than 30 years in the guise of the fictional characters, who formed the butt of many a traditional Black Country gag in the way ‘Paddy’ would feature in Irish jokes.

The pair used the distinctive local dialect in their jokes, and toured the West Midlands as part of show called A Black Country Night Out.

A statement on the website confirmed that ‘Ayli’ died on Tuesday, and added: ‘A very funny man both on and off stage he will be sadly missed by the cast and all involved with the show.’

Since Plant fell ill, 69-year-old Smith had continued to perform the act alone.

He told the Wolverhampton Express and Star before his friend’s death: ‘He just collapsed the morning after one of our performances.

‘This has really knocked me. John is “me old mucker”. We go back years.’

And he told the Birmingham Mail:’ It's great to work with a comedy partner as well as a friend. You support each other on stage. We never rehearse - we think it is more natural to bounce off each other and pick up on a subject.’

Click here for some examples of Aynuk and Ayli jokes

Published: 22 Nov 2006