Tributes paid to Mel Smith

Mel Smith died of a heart attack on Friday, at the age of 60

By Nicole Hamer |

12:41 23 July 2013

Many tributes have been paid to comedian and actor Mel Smith following his tragic death on Friday, 19th July. His agent confirmed that Mel died of a heart attack at home. He was aged 60.

In a statement on behalf of Mel’s wife, Mel’s agent Michael Foster said: “Mel Smith, comedian and writer, died on Friday aged 60, from a heart attack at his home in north-west London.”

The Brit, who is best-known for Not The Nine O'Clock News as well as Alas Smith and Jones, worked closely with Griff Rhys Jones during his lifetime.

Griff Rhys Jones said: “I will look back on the days working with him as some of the funniest times that I have ever spent. We probably enjoyed ourselves far too much, but we had a rollercoaster of a ride along the way. He was a very generous and supportive actor.”

John Lloyd, producer of Not The Nine O’Clock News told the BBC: “Mel did an extraordinary thing - he taught us all how to make comedy natural.”

Adding: “Mel was a very kind person and open to new ideas. He would always take on a part in Not… if the others didn’t want to do it.”

Stephen Fry said on social network site Twitter: “Terrible news about my old friend Mel Smith, dead today from a heart attack. Mel lived a full life, but was kind, funny & wonderful to know.”

Mel and Griff Rhys Jones created TalkBack Productions together, which made the likes of I'm Alan Partridge and Never Mind the Buzzcocks among others for TV.

During his career, Mel was also a director of a number of films including Bean - The Ultimate Disaster Movie which starred Rowan Atkinson.