Clive James dead – Poet, critic and broadcaster dies at the age of 80
VETERAN author, poet and broadcaster Clive James has died aged 80 after a long battle with cancer.
The Australian-born star of The Clive James Show passed away at home in Cambridge “surrounded by his family and books” on Sunday.
His family and close friends attended his funeral at Pembroke College in Cambridge earlier today – almost 10 years after he was diagnosed with leukaemia.
During his career, the much-loved author wrote incisively and often hilariously about television, literature and current affairs.
The dad-of-two, a big name in British television and radio in the 1980s, was influential in media circles and won awards for journalism and broadcasting.
SHOT TO FAME
His often coarse, dead-pan style peaked in popularity in the 80s with the show “Clive James on Television”.
He would lampoon clips of absurd international television shows, in particular a Japanese contest called “Endurance”.
James, who was known for his dry wit, went on to write a newspaper column titled “Reports of My Death” after being diagnosed with leukaemia in 2010. In 2016 he said his longevity after announcing his illness was “embarrassing”.
A statement released on behalf of the family read: “Clive died almost ten years after his first terminal diagnosis, and one month after he laid down his pen for the last time.
He died peacefully and at home, surrounded by his family and his books
His family
“He endured his ever-multiplying illnesses with patience and good humour, knowing until the last moment that he had experienced more than his fair share of this ‘great, good world’.
“He was grateful to the staff at Addenbrooke’s Hospital for their care and kindness, which unexpectedly allowed him so much extra time.
“His family would like to thank the nurses of the Arthur Rank Hospice at Home team for their help in his last days, which allowed him to die peacefully and at home, surrounded by his family and his books.”
Clive was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2011 and was told it was terminal in 2014.
TERMINAL CANCER
Tributes came flooding in for the critic with heartbroken fans reacting to the news.
Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan tweeted: “RIP Clive James, 80. A brilliantly funny man.”
Actor and theatre director Samuel West said: “We were lucky to have him for so long after his diagnosis. We were lucky to have him at all. RIP Clive James.”
Musician Alison Moyet said on Twitter: “Ah, Clive James. You bright, beaming boy. Our loss.”
Speaking after news of the deaths of celebrity chef Gary Rhodes and theatre legend Sir Jonathan Miller, Stephen Fry posted: “Clive James and Jonathan Miller – two heroes of mine growing up. Each so wildly and profusely gifted in so many directions.
“Very sorry to think they’re not in this world any more. And I just heard that Gary Rhodes has been snatched from us too. How very sad.”
Monty Python’s Eric Idle wrote: “Savage news this morning. To lose one friend is bad but to lose two reeks of carelessness.
“The beloved hilarious genius Jonathan Miller who dramatically changed my life three times and dear Clive James my pal at Cambridge.”
The popular critic moved to England in 1961.
During his first few years he worked as a library assistant, market researcher and sheet metal worker, and made friends with fellow Australian Barry Humphries.
He then landed a place at Cambridge University to read English Literature, where his contemporaries included Germaine Greer and Eric Idle.
He became president of Cambridge Footlights and even appeared on BBC’s University Challenge.
Clive started as a commentator on various shows including the Granada pop music show So It Goes between 1976 and 1977.
Then, in 1982, he hosted Clive James on Television.He then joined the BBC in 1988 and fronted Saturday Night Clive which ran for two years and returned as Saturday Night Clive on Sunday and then Sunday Night Clive.
