Entertainment
Tamsin Greig signed up to Friday Night Dinner because of Paul Ritter as she offers heartbreaking tribute to co-star
Tamsin Greig has shared a heartfelt tribute to Paul Ritter following his death, explaining that she only signed up to star on Friday Night Dinner because of him.
The actor, who most recently starred as Martin Goodman in the comedy, died on Monday night, aged 54.
As condolences poured in for the late star, Tamsin described her pal as ‘heart-stoppingly hilarious’.
In an emotional piece for The Guardian, the 54-year-old recalled: ‘I first saw Paul on stage in Alan Ayckbourn’s Norman Conquests trilogy at the Old Vic in 2008. I couldn’t take my eyes off him.
‘When I was told that they wanted him to play Martin Goodman in the pilot episode of Friday Night Dinner, I said: “You get him and I’m in.” Not only did Paul deliver in the role, he far surpassed everyone’s expectations – surprising, versatile, oddball, rooted in the clearest truth and always utterly, heart-stoppingly hilarious.
‘The world is a less brilliant place without Paul in it. Go lightly, my friend. You are deeply beloved.’
Paul Ritter’s career
Picture: Channel 4
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Tamsin and Paul appeared as married couple Jackie and Martin Goodman on the Channel 4 sitcom for nine years, following the premiere in 2011.
They were also joined by onscreen children Jonny (Tom Rosenthal) and Adam (Simon Bird).
At the beginning of this year, it was announced that a special 90-minute documentary was set to air to mark the 10th anniversary of the comedy, which was last on screen in 2020 with series six.
The 10-year celebration, which will also feature repeats of Friday Night Dinner episodes, is now going to be dedicated to Paul in the wake up of his death.
Paul, who also appeared in Vera, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince and Quantum of Solace, died on Monday night, after suffering from a brain tumour.
In a statement sent to Metro.co.uk, his agent said: ‘It is with great sadness we can confirm that Paul Ritter passed away last night.
‘He died peacefully at home with his wife Polly and sons Frank and Noah by his side.’
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