Character of the comedy scene was 52

Edinburgh comedy reviewer Sheila Kay Jack, of the website One4Review, has died at the age of 52.

Sheila – pictured here with comic Jason Wood who also died unexpectedly this year – passed away while snorkelling on holiday on the Greek island of Zakynthos on Friday night.

Her partner Geoff Evans, with whom she set up One4Review in 1999, said she was a ‘keen and strong swimmer’ and the autopsy has yet to determine the exact cause of death.

He told Chortle: ‘She was my partner and best friend for 18 years and her passing leaves one hell of a hole in my life.’

‘Because of international red tape she will not be repatriated to Scotland for another two weeks at least, giving me even more torture.’

An operating theatre nurse by day, Sheila set up One4Review because of her love of comedy, having previously reviewed for Scot FM. The website became known for its overwhelmingly positive reviews of comedy shows and idiosyncratic – and, admittedly frequently mis-spelled – writing style.

Sheila, a keen animal lover, was also known for her jacket, onto which she embroidered the names of many of the comedians she had seen.

Mr Evans said he has considered closing One4Review in the wake of his partner’s death, but said: ‘Given the support I have already received I feel I owe it to her to give it another go this year at least.’

Among those who have paid tribute are stand-up Jason Cook, who Tweeted: ‘Tonight after my gig I will be having "one4sheila". What a lovely lovely lady and a terrible shame’

News Quiz regular Susan Calman posted on her Facebook page: 'Susan Calman feels very sad. The news that Sheila from One4review passed away is terrible. Tonights preview in London will be dedicated to her. Susan hopes she would appreciate the sentiment.'

Here are some of Shiela’s reviews from last year’s Fringe:

Jason Byrne: ‘From the moment he gave me a Kite and I ran backwards to fly it (sitting still) I have absolutely adored him.’

Janeane Garofalo: ‘She is very funny in an American way! I am not sure how to describe her comedy.’

Phil Nichol: ‘When Phil first walked in to the room my first thoughts were, wow you are gorgeous!’

Ventriloquist Paul Zerdin: ‘Actually it was easy to see Paul’s mouth doesn’t move whilst he is performing, well actually after I got over just how gorgeous he is I watched his mouth very closely.’

Carey Marx: ‘Geoff first discovered the cute phenomenon that is Carey Marx, it is now a rush to see who can schedule his show in first and this year for the second year in a row I got to see him. Carey may be fairly small in stature but he has a huge talent for comedy.’

Topping and Butch: ‘The audience was about half and half [she didn’t explain half and half what] and all up for a great nights comedy.’

Zone Lyons: ‘Tee Hee!  Yehh! Wow what a show it was.’

Susan Calman: ‘Here we go again another "Female Comedian" and yet another truly hilarious night, not only that but Scottish as well.’

Published: 21 Jun 2010