Comedian and studio warm-up man Bobby Bragg dies

Wednesday 26th October 2016, 8:25pm

Bobby Bragg

Bobby Bragg, the comedian and actor who has been in show business for over 40 years, has died.

Bragg is perhaps best known as the studio audience warm-up man for many sitcoms and TV entertainment shows, with Only Fools And Horses and Keeping Up Appearances amongst the high profile comedies he worked on.

He was also the voice of long-running game show Supermarket Sweep and worked on many other light entertainment shows, including Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? and Bullseye. It is estimated he has entertained more than 6,000 studio audiences across his career.

He often took on small guest roles in sitcom he worked on. Ever Decreasing Circles, Open All Hours, Brush Strokes and My Family are amongst the many shows he appeared in. In a memorable episode of One Foot In The Grave he played the warm up man for a sitcom pilot the Meldrews go to see. Meanwhile, his most recent TV credit was playing barman Don in Only Fools And Horses prequel Rock & Chips in 2011.

In a video posted on Twitter in September, Bragg spoke about how he had been battling with pancreatic cancer.

His son Matt posted a statement on social media last night, saying: "Sadly my Dad lost his battle with pancreatic cancer this afternoon. He fought it incredibly bravely for 2 and a half years. We're all very proud. He was peaceful and with his family. He'll be missed greatly."

Matt, who has followed in his father's footsteps and also performs stand-up, later added: "Thank you very much for all the kind messages and calls. It's heart warming to know he meant so much to so many people."

Image shows from L to R: Bobby Bragg, Roy Hudd, Harry Hill

Jim Sullivan, the son of Only Fools And Horses writer John Sullivan, says: "Bobby was a lovely man and a terrific comedian. Being a warm-up man at the studio recording of a TV comedy isn't an easy job. There's a lot of stop-starting and Bobby was brilliant at compering the evenings and keeping the audience happy and entertained during technical breaks. Bobby had an infectious enthusiasm for his job - and was always smiling. My Dad thought a great deal of him, which is why he was cast in Rock & Chips. Our thoughts are with his family."

Last year, Bragg was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the British Music Hall Society's 51st Annual Ball. Speaking to his local paper he explained how it came as a shock to him and his wife: "Gail and I were surprised to see that we were sitting next to our very dear friend Harry Hill, the comedian. I thought it was a bit strange, as I'd been with Harry only a couple of days earlier and he hadn't mentioned that he was going. We had a great meal and lots of fun and laughter. There was time for the speeches and Roy [Hudd] was, as ever, truly hilarious; I did a bit and finally Harry took to the floor and gave ten minutes of pure comedy genius. He then said 'the reason I am here tonight is to talk about Bobby Bragg'.

"I looked at him in amazement and thought he'd lost the plot. He said the most lovely things and spoke about my 40 years in television comedy and the many shows I've worked on. He talked about how we had worked together for 15 years and then presented me with the British Music Hall Society Lifetime Achievement Award. I was totally stunned and literally speechless. It was an evening I will never forget."

The below video features a few of his on-screen moments:

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