Mick Bateman also set up the London Comedy Festival

Tributes have been paid to former Gilded Balloon manager Mick Bateman who has died at the age of 60.

He was director of projects at the Edinburgh Fringe venue from 1997 to 2001, managing its day-to-day running, before setting up the London Comedy Festival, which ran for three years.

A ten-year stint as director of homeless project Crisis At Christmas followed, before he set up an art college for homeless people in South London. He then moved to Lisbon, where he set up a studio making creative steelworks for bars, restaurants and hotels.

Gilded Balloon founder Karen Koren wrote on Facebook: ‘It’s with great sadness I heard of the sudden death of Mick Bateman. Mick was a loving, kind, strong man who worked with the Gilded Balloon in the late 90’s. He was literally my right hand man.

‘He worked hard and supported me and the Gilded Balloon always. We had great times together and sad times. We didn’t always agree but boy was his heart always in the right place. I’m sad because we lost touch.

He has been living in Lisbon for awhile and working as a sculptor. His passion and he was very great at it.

‘When the Gilded Balloon burnt down it was Mick who organised 2 big fundraisers called "Gutted" to help keep Gilded Balloon afloat. He worked tirelessly to support us and I will never forget his love and dedication. Thank you Mick I will miss you so much.’

Published: 15 Apr 2022