Ronnie Golden, star of The Young Ones and Spitting Image, dies aged 78
Comedian and musician Ronnie Golden has died suddenly aged 78.
The entertainer, whose real name was Tony De Meur, was known for his work on Spitting Image and The Young Ones, as well as his decades-long career on the British comedy circuit.
Golden died at home on Saturday while his partner, film producer Grace Carley, was out walking their dog, with Carley revealing that his death had come completely without warning.
Announcing the devastating news, she said: ‘Without any fuss or bother, he simply slipped away yesterday afternoon while I was walking the dog.
‘Never even fell off his perch, so to speak.
‘I know it will be an enormous shock, as it was to me, but I am consoled by his complete lack of pain or suffering.’
Carley did not give an official cause of death in her announcement.
Tributes have since poured in for the much-loved performer, whose unusual career spanned rock music, alternative comedy, television, radio and film.
Musical comedian Steve Gribbin remembered Golden as a ‘comedy legend’ and ‘all-round good fella’, saying seeing him at the annual Comedians’ Christmas Party was always a highlight.
He added: ‘He was such a brilliant raconteur and he loved his music with a rare and incandescent passion.
‘He was a very funny man, and a lovely human being. My heart goes out to Grace and all his family.’
Comedian Charmian Hughes, who had known Golden for decades, said she was ‘devastated’ by his death.
Recalling first seeing his band The Fabulous Poodles while at St Andrews University before the pair later became friends and shared comedy bills, she described him as a ‘true comedy friend’.
She added of Golden and Carley: ‘His domestic bliss with you was beautiful to behold and our hearts and love go out to you.’
Golden began his career in music, founding The Fabulous Poodles in the mid-1970s and serving as the group’s lead singer and guitarist.
The quirky pre-new wave outfit appeared on The Old Grey Whistle Test, released three albums and found particular success in America, where they toured extensively.
They shared bills with major names including Meat Loaf, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and The Ramones, and even served as Chuck Berry’s backing band. Their 1978 US album Mirror Stars reached number 61 on the Billboard album chart.
After the Fabulous Poodles disbanded around 1980, De Meur reinvented himself as Ronnie Golden and became part of the burgeoning alternative comedy scene.
He performed at London’s influential Comedy Store and was involved with The Comic Strip alongside performers including Rik Mayall, Adrian Edmondson, Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders and Alexei Sayle.
Golden also made a memorable appearance in The Young Ones as Buddy Holly, who is discovered hanging upside down from the ceiling after apparently becoming caught there by his parachute.
His comedy credentials extended to Spitting Image, where his voice could be heard impersonating stars including Mick Jagger and Roger Daltrey. Records for the series credit him with voice roles during its original 1980s run.
Golden’s association with the satirical series also led to an unlikely chart achievement: he featured on The Chicken Song, the 1986 Spitting Image novelty track which reached number one in the UK.
Away from television, he continued performing music with his R&B and soul group Ronnie and the Rex and wrote songs and sketches for BBC Radio 4’s The Right Time.
He also formed a long-running comedy partnership with the late Barry Cryer, with the pair performing together at the Edinburgh Fringe and in theatres around the UK for years.
Their collaborations included Barry Cryer and Ronnie Golden Unplugged and Men in Beige, while they also appeared together at Nine Lessons and Carols for Godless People in 2009.
Golden remained an active performer until shortly before his death.
Earlier this year, he appeared at Bath Comedy Festival, where he was billed as a performer capable of moving from musical impersonations and one-liners to his own comic songs.
Beyond the Joke reported that Golden had still been exchanging messages with friends in the days before his death, with music industry figure David Stark saying the pair had arranged to meet for Christmas lunch.
Paying tribute, Stark remembered him as a ‘top musician, comedian and all-round good bloke’ whose partnership with Cryer had taken them to the Edinburgh Fringe and gigs around the country.
Golden is survived by his partner Grace.
Technology & Business Editor
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