Fans and fellow arts figures are paying tribute to comedian John Sessions, after he died of a heart attack aged 67.
The Scottish entertainer was best known for his many appearances on TV comedy shows, including Have I Got News For You, Whose Line is it Anyway? and QI.
His later film roles included a part in Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York, Filth and Kray twins film, Legend, starring Tom Hardy.
Throughout his career, Sessions played two prime ministers: Harold Wilson in Made in Dagenham and Edward Heath in the Margaret Thatcher biopic The Iron Lady, opposite Meryl Streep.
Broadcaster Danny Baker remembered him as “terrific company always and a true talent”.
The official QI Twitter account also paid tribute, commenting: “His incredible wit and encyclopaedic knowledge played a huge part in the show’s history and everyone at QI is deeply saddened to learn of his passing.”
“A comedy hero of mine,” tweeted writer Michael Spicer. “A character actor with such extraordinary range and so very, very funny. I loved John Sessions, I did. Loved him.”
Novelist, TV writer and critic David Quantick wrote: “This is very sad news. John Sessions was a great talent.”
Rock band Field Music tweeted from their account: “Terrible news about John Sessions. Always brilliant but for us he'll always be Keef/Pesci/Pacino in Stella Street, arguably the funniest and/or silliest thing that’s ever been on telly.”
“Bobby Ball and now John Sessions! Two very different performers who both absolutely inspired and delighted me at different times. Lovely, funny men,” wrote comedian and actor Robert Webb.
Comedian and impressionist Rory Bremner tweeted: “Jeez. Another one. John Sessions. Just the best, he’d blow everyone away on Whose Line with his speed of thought & breadth of reference. Utterly absorbed by Hollywood, its characters and stories, brilliant raconteur, genius mimic. A flash of brilliance just went out.”
