When is Tony Slattery's funeral? Crowdfunder started to help with costs

Tony Slattery died this week from a heart attack. He was loved by millions of fans, particularly for his improvisation on Whose Line Is It Anyway?.

He suffered from mental health issues and struggled with addiction, but in recent years had started performing again.

Now Slattery’s long-term friend Allan Lear, with whom he recorded the podcast Tony Slattery's Rambling Club which started in October, is raising money to help pay for his send-off.

Lear said: “Tony Slattery was a titan of British comedy. He appeared in countless television shows and films, being most fondly remembered for Whose Line Is It Anyway?

“Sadly, in later years mental health issues had diminished Tony's career, but with the unwavering support of his long-term partner, Mark, he made it through the wilderness and was back touring and performing comedy. Life was starting to look rosy again when, to the great shock of all who knew him, he suffered a fatal heart attack. Mark and Tony were looking forward to celebrating their fortieth anniversary this year.

“Because Tony was only just getting back to work, and because his passing was so unexpected, there wasn't a Plan B in place. If you could give just a little towards a funeral for Tony, it would be a huge weight of Mark's shoulders at this miserable time.”

The fundraiser has already broken its £8,000 target and has so far raised more than £12,000. To donate click here.

Slattery was a contemporary of Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry and Emma Thompson at the University of Cambridge, and was president of the esteemed comedy group the Cambridge Footlights. As well as being a stand-up comedian, he also appeared in films including Peter’s Friends, The Crying Game and How To Get Ahead In Advertising.