The Young Ones and Spitting Image star Ronnie Golden, whose real name was Tony De Meur, has died at the age of 78.
The comedian and musician passed away peacefully on Sunday afternoon while his partner, film producer Grace Carley, was out walking their dog.
Carley confirmed the sad news on Monday in a statement. "Without any fuss or bother, he simply slipped away yesterday afternoon while I was walking the dog," she said. "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."
Cult TV Roles and Music Career
Golden was best known to television audiences for his memorable guest appearance in the hit 1980s sitcom The Young Ones alongside stars Rik Mayall and Ade Edmondson. Featured in the second episode of the classic comedy, his character was famously shown hanging upside down from the ceiling dressed as rock legend Buddy Holly while still attached to his parachute. The ground-breaking series, which originally aired on BBC Two, helped define the British alternative comedy movement of the era.
He later went on to feature in the popular satirical puppet series Spitting Image, which mocked major political and celebrity figures. Before achieving television fame, De Meur first rose to prominence in 1975 as the lead singer and guitarist for the British new-wave group The Fabulous Poodles. The band built a dedicated following during the late 1970s, touring extensively across the United Kingdom and the United States.
Following the eventual split of The Fabulous Poodles, De Meur transitioned into a successful full-time career in stand-up comedy and adopted the stage persona Ronnie Golden. He became a familiar face on the British alternative comedy circuit, performing solo routines as well as working with the famous comedy collective The Comic Strip, which played a pivotal role in launching a generation of British comic talent.
Tributes Paid Across Comedy World
Following his passing, Carley invited his friends, family members and former performing colleagues to share their memories of the beloved entertainer. Tributes quickly poured in from across the comedy community honoring his long career in music and entertainment.
Musical comic Steve Gribbin paid a heartfelt tribute to De Meur, remembering him as a performer of rare talent. "Such sad news about the death of comedy legend, very funny act, excellent musician and all-round good fella Tony De Meur aka Ronnie Golden," Gribbin wrote. "Every year I would see him at the Comedians' Christmas Party my eyes would always light up. 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."
Comedy circuit performer Charmian Hughes also paid tribute, recalling that she had seen The Fabulous Poodles perform live at St Andrews University long before she began sharing comedy bills with him. Hughes described him as a true comedy friend and expressed her sympathy for Carley, noting that their domestic bliss together was beautiful to behold.
Peter Grahame, who runs the renowned Downstairs at the King's Head comedy club in Crouch End, North London, said the news was still sinking in. "I feel I have known Tony for ever," Grahame said, offering his thoughts to Carley, family and friends before adding that the Stannah Stairlift had a new passenger today and predicting that Barry would have a few gags about the afterlife ready for him.
