“Expertly funny” Holby City and Midsomer Murders actor Desmond Barrit dies at 81
Tributes have flooded in for “expertly funny” actor, Desmond Barrit, who appeared in the likes of Holby City and Midsomer Murders.
Actor Desmond Barrit - who appeared in big-name TV shows including Holby City and Midsomer Murders as well as a host of acclaimed stage productions - has died aged 81. The star died suddenly and unexpectedly at his home in Islington, London, with his death prompting an outpouring of tributes from across the industry - including from the National Theatre.
He enjoyed a long and varied career spanning stage and screen, earning recognition for performances in Shakespearean productions, musical theatre and television drama, as well as roles in productions at venues including the Royal National Theatre and Theatr Clwyd.
“Des brought his sublime talent and massive heart to everything from Shakespeare to Sondheim, new plays to raucous pantomime,” the National Theatre said. “He was expertly funny. He was a hilarious ringmaster announcing Comedy Tonight in the National Theatre’s outstanding revival of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.
“He could break hearts as well, and (we) had the privilege of directing him as a devastating Big Daddy in Cat On a Hot Tin Roof at the Theatr Clwyd in 2016. A generous and joyous man, he will be much missed.”
Desmond, born in Morriston, Swansea, established himself early as a performer, with 1998’s Alice Through the Looking Glass, in which he played Humpty Dumpty, among his early TV appearances.
He went on to gain acclaim on stage, including a performance as Shylock in Chichester Festival Theatre’s 2003 production of The Merchant of Venice, and as Hector in The History Boys at Wyndham’s Theatre. In 2004, Desmond appeared in a revival of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at the Royal National Theatre, which earned a nomination for Outstanding Musical Production at the 2005 Olivier Awards.
On TV, he played Raymond Clandillon in a 2007 episode of Midsomer Murders titled They Seek Him Here, alongside appearances in the BBC medical drama Holby City.
In 2008, he took on the role of the Wizard in Wicked at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre, and later appeared in 2014 as Michaud in Helen Edmundson’s adaptation of Thérèse Raquin at the Theatre Royal, Bath.
After news of his passing was announced, tributes poured in from across the entertainment world, including from screenwriter Russell Davies, who called him a “giant, a lion and a joy, he’ll be much missed. Goodnight to a great man”.
Fellow actor, Joseph Millson, said: “So sad to hear of the passing of Des Barrit. I was in three productions with him, each a real flag in the sand for my career. Des was a kind mess of humanity and a consummate actor every single time. So many stories. Fare forward friend.”