LISTEN: Edinburgh panto performer & River City star Andy Gray has died
The actor & comedian had battled a rare blood cancer & caught coronavirus.
Last updated 18th Jan 2021
Edinburgh panto performer and River City star Andy Gray has died after catching coronavirus.
Tributes to the 61-year-old are flooding in over social media as the theatre and Scottish telly world pay their respects.
Gray had been battling a rare form of blood cancer before he passed away over the weekend following a COVID-19 infection.
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Reacting to the awful news, Capital Theatres – which operates King’s Theatre, Festival Theatre, and The Studio in the Scottish capital – tweeted: ‘It is with enormous sadness that we have heard of the passing of our dear colleague and panto star, Andy Gray.
‘We are still reeling from the news and are all absolutely devastated.’
The actor and comedian may be best remembered for his dodgy dealings as Chancer in the 1987 sitcom ‘City Lights’, but the entertainer has enjoyed a varied and successful career.
Gray was one of the stalwarts of Scottish acting having worked in every aspect of theatre, film, television, and radio.
He was brought up in Perth and studied at Queen Margaret College in Edinburgh.
MP for Perth and North Perthshire, Pete Wishart said: “This is so sad. Andy was a huge figure in Perth who as well as being a fantastic iconic actor was such great fun and helped out with so many Perth charities.”
First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon has taken to Twitter to express her upset at the news.
She tweeted: 'So sad to hear this. Andy was a legend of the Scottish acting community, from City Lights, to panto, River City and so much more besides.
'He was also a funny and really lovely guy.
'He will be sorely missed by many. My condolences are with his family and friends.'
Steve Carson, director of BBC Scotland, added: "We are deeply saddened by the news that one of Scotland's much loved comedy actors and close friend to many at BBC Scotland, Andy Gray has passed away.
"On screen and in person he could always make you laugh and was one of the kindest people to have around on any production. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time."