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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Zara Woodcock

Barry Cryer's hilarious television moments as the comic legend dies aged 86

Comedy legend Barry Cryer died at the age of 86 and was called a 'giant of British comedy' by his admirers.

Following the announcement of his death, stars took to social media to pay tribute to the television icon.

Piers Morgan had called him a 'giant of British comedy' while Stephen Fry dubbed him one of the 'absolute greats of British comedy'.

The funnyman began his career at London's very own Windmill Theatre as a bottom billing act.

He was best known for his role on BBC Radio 4's I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue since it began in 1972.

Here are some of his amazing television moments throughout his decades-long career...

I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue

He was the host during the first series (Getty Images)

BBC Radio 4's I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue featured the likes of Tim Brooke-Taylor, Barry, Graeme Garden, Willie Rushton and Colin Sell.

Called the 'anti-dote to panels games', it consisted of two teams of two comedians answering hilarious anecdotes and questions.

Stephen Fry, Jack Dee and Rob Brydon became hosts following the death of Humphrey Lyttleton in 2008.

In the beginning, Barry and Humphrey played the roles of chairmen. He hosted six episodes in the first series (1972) before becoming a panellist.

Humphrey dubbed him the show's 'bricks and mortar' due to his quick wit and amazing one-liners.

Barry was often portrayed as an alcoholic who's always waiting to get to the pub.

He had been on the show since it started in 1972 (BBC)

Graeme and Barry often played the roles of two Scots called Hamish and Dougal. Their skits involved the phrase 'You'll have had your tea?'

Games included The Uxbridge English Dictionary where panellists provide alternative definitions for familiar English words.

An example includes when Barry gave the definition for 'hashtag'. He said: "Hashtag, party game where you chase each other for drugs."

In another game where panellists suggest alternative slogans for popular brands, Barry joked: "Tesco's... Every Lidl hurts."

Other games include Celebrity Misquotes, French Radio Times, Unseen Prequels and Quote, Unquote.

Would I Lie To You?

Barry made a few appearances on Would I Lie To You? (Youtube)

Barry has made quite a few appearances on the panel show Would I Lie To You?

One particular moment had David Mitchell's team guess who the mystery guest was. Barry claimed the anonymous man was Rhod, the man who drives the H14 bus he loves so much.

"He drives my favourite bus and whenever I see it, I shout, 'Hello, darling!'," he explained. He claimed he shouts the words at the bus as 'it's his friend'.

David asked him: "When you're planning to get on it, at what point do you shout 'Hello darling!'?"

Barry hilariously responded: "I'm a creature of whim. It might be early, it might be late, it might be when I'm getting on, I want to vary it."

When David asked whether he also says 'I'm coming in, darling', Barry quickly responded: "No, no. There's no foreplay."

It turns out the story was true!

Stand-Up

He never failed to make the room laugh (Popperfoto via Getty Images)
Stars all paid tribute to 'one of the greats' (Getty Images)

Barry had no struggles making a room full of people guffaw with his jokes.

A classic funny joke from the star was about a woman having an affair while her husband was away in Hong Kong.

"There's a lady in bed with a man she should not be with, her husband was in Hong Kong," he would say to the crowd. "Classic start to any joke, the sound of the key in the lock.

"She said to the guy: 'Get out, get into the bathroom!' and he scampered into the bathroom. Her husband entered the room obviously unexpectedly early and saw his wife au naturel or déshabillé. He said: 'What's all this?'

"She said: 'Welcome home, darling. I have missed you. You must have jet lag. Come to bed.' He said: 'Oh that's beautiful. I'll just pop in the bathroom.'"

Like with most jokes, things took a turn for the ridiculous and the punchline always left the audience tearing up with joy.

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Television Writing and Appearances

He wrote for many shows and appeared in endless panel games (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Barry's incredibly quick wit landed him several jobs writing for panel shows and comedy shows.

He wrote for many famous names including Sir Bruce Forsyth, Sir David Frost, The Two Ronnies and Morecambe and Wise.

His early TV appearances included endless panel shows such as That's Showbusiness, Blankety Blank and What's My Line.

He hosted the ITV panel game Jokers Wild between 1969 and 1974 and even had a role in All You Need Is Cash, a 1978 spoof documentary about the Beatles.

Barry even wrote an autobiography called You Won't Believe This But as well as a book called Pigs Can Fly

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