Countdown and Countryfile star Bill Tidy dies with children by his side

13 March 2023 , 09:54

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Bill Tidy, pictured with Ken Dodd at a charity event, has died aged 89 (Image: Liverpool Echo)

Former Countdown and Countryfile star and Mirror cartoonist Bill Tidy has died at the age of 89, his heartbroken family have announced.

Much-loved Bill, who penned the Mirror’s comic strip The Fosdyke Saga for 14 years, passed away on Sunday.

The talented and super speedy illustrator, was awarded an MBE in 2000 for services to journalism, helped to set up the British Cartoonists' Association.

His health had declined after two major strokes, his relatives said.

The legendary artist passed away with his children Sylvia and Rob, who was his full-time carer, by his side.

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His daughter Sylvia and son Rob were by his side

Sylvia, who runs a PR agency, said: “Today is one of the hardest days of my life. Dad was a talented and very funny man, as well as the UK’s best-loved cartoonist.”

Bill, raised in Liverpool, sold his first cartoon to a Japanese newspaper in 1955 – the year he left the Army. In 1975, he was the subject of This Is Your Life.

Bill was a regular guest in dictionary corner on Channel 4 ’s Countdown, as well as on TV’s Watercolour Challenge, Through the Keyhole and Blankety Blank.

He was known for drawing his cartoons quickly on TV.

Harry Potter star Miriam Margolyes said: “Bill was very special man, he will never die. I adored him – we all did.”

Actor Robert Powell said: “I knew Bill for almost 50 years. He was a great friend and we spent many happy hours together.”

His family paid tribute to "the most brilliant cartoonist and the very best dad"

Bill, of Swannington, Leics, whose wife Rosa died in November 2019, wrote 20 books, illustrated 70 and drew cartoon strip The Cloggies, in Private Eye, from 1967 to 1981.

Composer Tim Rice said: “Bill will be missed not only for his great talent but for his warmth, wit and wisdom.” Sylvia added: “We are all deeply saddened but his legacy and cartoons will continue to live on.”

Bill’s Fosdyke Saga strip ran in the Mirror from 1971 until 1985.

Sam Elliott-Gibbs