Charity foundation set up in Dexter's name

A new foundation has been set up in memory of Felix Dexter, who died in October at the age of 52.

Comedy stars are staging a benefit next month to raise funds for the new venture, which will help educate underprivileged children in the UK and St Kitts, the Caribbean island where he was born.

A spokesman said: 'This was particularly important to him as his mother sacrificed her own education to ensure he had the best she could give him.'

As well as eduction, the new fund will support cancer and sickle cell research, organ donation and social welfare of people in the legal and entertainment professions.

Paul Whitehouse, who acted with Dexter in The Fast Show and Bellamy's People, last month dedicated his British Comedy Award to the memory of his fellow comedian.

He said: 'Felix was a brilliant comedian who made me and countless others laugh and think, with his funny and challenging characters. He was also a friend and a brave man who left us too soon.

'It's wonderful that so many comedians and friends are joining to remember him and raise money for the charity set up in his name. Nice. Nice.'

Whitehouse will be among those performing at the fundraiser at the Hammersmith Apollo in London on February 9.

Also on the bill are Sean Lock, Alan Carr, Jo Brand, Jack Dee, Dara O Briain, Omid Djalili, Paul Whitehouse, Charlie Higson and Stephen K Amos – among many others.

The event is being organised by Paulette Randall, who worked alongside Danny Boyle on the Opening Ceremony of the London Olympics.

Dexter moved to Surrey with his family at the age of seven and studied law at University College London before embarking on a career in comedy. He died of multiple myeloma, a cancer of blood plasma cells.

Click here to book tickets for the fundraiser.

Published: 17 Jan 2014