Barry Cryer... A Celebration Part 2

The 25th January 2022 shall forever mark a dark day for British comedy as the legendary writer and comedian Barry Cryer passed away at the age of 86. Making his professional debut at Vivian Van Damn’s infamous Windmill Theatre alongside future comedy legends including Spike Milligan, Harry Seconbe, Tommy Cooper and Bob Monkhouse to name just a few, Cryer cultivated a relentless passion for comedy. Yet an eczema flare up encouraged him to become a writer and the drag sensation Danny La Rue offered him an opportunity to flex his skills. In 1966 a chance meeting with David Frost would result in Barry collaborating on a new revue style show that united a certain Ronnie Barker with Ronnie Corbett for The Frost Report which in turn spawned the heavyweight Two Ronnies. Yet on radio, Cryer became a regular on the comedy panel show I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue alongside Tim Brooke-Taylor and Humphrey Lyttleton which brought him cult following for almost fifty years. I caught up with the writer and comedy historian Louis Barfe to celebrate the life and legacy of one of the most important figures in the history of British comedy. Ladies and gentlemen, let’s remember the legend that was Barry Cryer.