Panto favourite and charity fundraiser

Old-school comedian Dave Lee has died at the age of 64.

He had recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and it is understood his condition deteriorated rapidly over the weekend, and he passed away yesterday.

Many of his colleagues have been paying tribute. Bradley Walsh this morning tweeted: ‘He brought smiles to so many faces both as the comedian & through his charity.’

And TV critic Garry Bushell said: ‘RIP Dave Lee, a wonderful comedian and a good friend. Heaven just got funnier.’

A former drummer and singer, Lee put together a solo comedy act – on the advice of Eric Morecambe, who happened to see his show.

He was a TV warm-up man in the Seventies, and appeared on several variety shows including Des O-Connor Tonight, The Generation Game, Celebrity Squares, Live From Her Majesty’s and The Brian Conley Show.

Lee had a long career in pantomime – including 16 at the Marlowe Theatre in his home town of Canterbury, Kent, and Jim Davidson's Sinderella and Boobs In The Wood – and frequently entertained the troops.

On his blog today, Davidson wrote: 'It’s been a terrible shock for all of us. Dave was a great comedian and a great bloke... He’s [been] my guest star on numerous occasions and always, always went down a storm with the audience. He had something that all comedians strive for…likeability.'

In 2003, Lee was awarded the MBE for setting up the charity Dave Lee's Happy Holidays, which provided breaks for sick, disabled and disadvantaged children in Kent.

He also had several other charity links around Canterbury – and was due to be awarded the freedom of the city at the end of this month for ‘the great and lasting enjoyment that he has given to the people of Canterbury district over very many years; in particular in his comedy performances, his tireless fundraising work and support for local charities’.

After hearing the news of Lee’s death, Kent and England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones called for a statue of Lee to be put up outside the Marlowe Theatre ‘after his many years in panto and for his charity work’.

And fellow sportsman Mark Bentley, a former Gillingham FC midfielder, tweeted: ‘RIP comedian and Gills fan Dave Lee, nice fella was great in the pantos.’

Published: 17 Jan 2012