Скачать или смотреть Satirist John Bird dies on Christmas Eve – Rory Bremner calls him ‘one of the greatest’

Comedian John Bird died peacefully on Christmas Eve aged 86, almost nine years to the day since his comedy partner John Fortune passed away.Rory Bremner, who was one member of the trio Bremner, Bird and Fortune, has paid tribute, calling him "one of the greatest satirists".A statement announcing Bird's death said he died "peacefully" at Pendean care home in West Sussex, and that a family funeral will be followed by a celebration of his life in the New Year.Bird was best known for sketches performed alongside Fortune and Bremner, in Channel 4's satirical show Bremner, Bird And Fortune.Paying tribute on Twitter, Brenner wrote: "Deeply saddened to hear that the great John Bird has left us. One of the most modest of men and most brilliant of satirists. And one of the last surviving pillars of the anti-establishment."I used to watch from the wings and marvel at how the two friends made it look so effortless, so blissfully funny, their skill and enjoyment in the moment making light of the seriously detailed research that went into each piece."Bird and Fortune's well-known series of comedy skits known as The Long Johns, saw the men interview one another, taking on the roles of bumbling politicians, military figures and businessmen.They were nominated for four Baftas and won the TV award for their performance in 1997.In a longer statement, impressionist Bremner wrote: "It's an irony that one of our greatest satirists, so brilliant at portraying ministers, civil servants or high-ranking officials who exuded self-satisfaction, was himself so modest and self-effacing."John Bird was, to the end, never pleased with himself, always feeling he should have done better, been less lazy, had a late period like Brahms, 'where everything was spare and abstract'."The reality was that he and his friend and collaborator John Fortune, together with Peter Cook, were pillars of the anti-establishment."