Fellow comics pay tribute

Tributes are being paid to Kiwi stand-up Ewen Gilmour after he died in his sleep at the age of 51.

The comedian cut a familiar figure on the tight-knit New Zealand circuit with his long hair and straggly beard.

Police were called to the comedian's home in Port Waikato, on the west coast of New Zealand's North Island near Auckland, at 6.15 on Friday morning. They said the death appeared to be from natural causes.

Gilmour's agent Hillary Coe told the media: 'He passed away at home. It was very unexpected as he had not been unwell but it was natural, he passed away in his sleep.'

Fellow comic Urzila Carlson described him as the inappropriate uncle 'doing the dirty jokes over Christmas'.

'This is absolutely devastating,' she told the local press. '[He] will leave a massive hole, I don't know if anyone could fill it.'

The Boy With Tape On His Face added: 'Ewen Gilmour will be very much missed by The Boy. Great man on and off stage. Condolences to all his family. NZ comedy legend.'

And Jarred Christmas posted: 'Farewell Ewen Gilmour. Very funny and lovely man. You indulged my stupid questions early on and you made me cry with laughter in conversation.'

The tributes extended outside of New Zealand, with Glenn Wool saying: 'So sad to hear about the passing of a Kiwi comedy legend... gone way too soon.'

Gilmour, who performed at the 2002 Edinburgh Fringe, lost his wife Cathy two years ago. Outside of comedy, he also worked for the children's charity Variety. Here he is at the New Zealand Comedy Festival gala two years ago:

Published: 3 Oct 2014