Fellow performers pay tribute after sudden death of 'City Lights' actor at the age of 51

Tributes were paid yesterday to Scots actor Gerard Kelly, who has died at the age of 51.

The Glaswegian – best known for his role as Willie Melvin in the popular 1980s comedy City Lights – suffered a suspected brain aneurysm.

He is understood to have collapsed at his London home on Wednesday.

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A spokesman for Kelly said he died at West Middlesex University Hospital on Thursday evening with his family and close friends at his side.

Fellow performers lined up to pay tribute to Kelly, who enjoyed a huge fanbase in Scotland thanks to his portrayal as the hapless aspiring author Melvin and roles in Rab C Nesbitt and Scotch and Wry, not to mention numerous pantomime performances.

He played a hardman who gave the Mitchell brothers a run for their money in EastEnders and made three appearances in Ricky Gervais’s Extras.

Kelly was due to star in The Rocky Horror Show at the King’s Theatre in Glasgow next month before beginning his regular pantomime run.

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Gregor Fisher, who played Rab C Nesbitt, said: “He was a dear, sweet and funny man, and I shall miss him very much.

“Too soon as far as I’m concerned. Too, too soon.”

Comedian and actress Elaine C Smith, who knew Kelly for more than 25 years, said she “greatly admired” him as an actor.

She said: “He was a warm, kind, funny human being. We had lots of similar views on politics and the world.

“One of my fondest memories is of me dressed as a fairy and Gerard as Wishy Washy as we stood discussing the situation in Palestine.”

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BBC Scotland director Ken MacQuarrie said: “Gerard will be greatly missed by everyone who had the pleasure of working with him.

“He appeared in many BBC Scotland radio and television productions over the years, and will be remembered not only for the range and quality of his performances but also for the warmth of his personality off air.”

Scottish Labour Party leader Iain Gray praised Mr Kelly’s contribution to Scotland’s cultural life.

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