TV host and comedy writer Denis Norden has died at the age of 96, his family have announced.
The star, who was known to millions for presenting the ITV show ‘It’ll Be Alright On The Night’, died on Wednesday morning after spending “many weeks” at the Royal Free Hospital in north London.
In a statement, his children, Nick and Maggie Norden, said: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to all the dedicated staff and doctors who have looked after him – with much devotion.
“A wonderful dad, a loving grandfather and great great-grandfather – he gave his laughter mongering to so many.
“He will be in our hearts forever.”
Denis became the host of ‘It’ll Be Alright On The Night’ in 1977, which he continued to present until his retirement aged 84 in 2006.
The hit show featured behind-the-scenes bloopers from the worlds of TV and film. Griff Rhys Jones took over as presenter from 2008 until 2016, and David Walliams fronted a new series in 2018.
As well as presenting ‘IBAOTN’, Denis was also an acclaimed comedy writer, penning his first script for the BBC - ‘Let’s Go to the Holborn’ - at the age of 19.
He later teamed up with comic Frank Muir between 1947 and the early 1960s, writing comedies including ‘Take It From Here’ for BBC radio.
Stars from the showbiz world have being paying tribute...
He is survived by his wife Avril Rosen as well as his children, Nick and Maggie.
