Gilbert and Sullivan stalwart dies at 94

The British stage star spent 20 years as the principal comic baritone with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company.

He entertained audiences in London, Australia, the United States and Canada with his renditions of fast-rhythm "patter" lyrics.

The comic device is a key feature of Gilbert & Sullivan's works, which include Trial by Jury, The Mikado and Pirates of Penzance.

After retiring from the stage, Reed moved to Halifax where he directed the local Gilbert and Sullivan society, the West Yorkshire Savoyards.

He also supported the annual International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival in Buxton, Derbyshire, until failing eyesight made involvement difficult.

Festival director Neil Smith said: "Reed had an unrivalled ability to imbue his performances with both madcap humour and deep pathos, a quality which, combined with the acrobatic agility of a trained dancer, brought him worldwide acclaim."

Mr Smith, who described Reed as his "courtesy uncle", said the singer had been unwell in the months leading to his death in hospital on Saturday.

He lost much of his eyesight through macular degeneration and after being diagnosed with dementia just before Christmas, he suffered a stroke on February 3, from which he never recovered, according to Mr Smith.

He said Reed never married and is survived by his partner of 52 years, Nicholas Kerri.

Reed, who was born in Bishop Auckland, Co Durham on February 13 1916, was the youngest of four children. He made his debut with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company in 1951 and held the "patter man" role from 1959 to 1979.

After leaving it he continued to appear on stage as a guest until that company closed in 1982.