Tributes paid to Irish-Australian comedian Brian Doyle following his death at 88

Tributes have been paid to Irish-Australian comedian Brian Doyle following his death at the age of 88. The Facebook group for Golden Years of Australian Variety paid tribute to Brian Doyle and wrote: “With great sadness, GYAV acknowledges the passing of legendary Irish comedian Brian Doyle, who has taken his final bow, aged 88.

“Brian Doyle was born on December 11th, 1937, in Dublin, Ireland, the second youngest of five sons. His father, Jim, owned the first private taxi cab in Dublin and worked extremely long hours.

The tribute went on to say that “At age 28, a chance meeting with a 23-year-old Sydney girl at a Leicester Square dance in London dramatically changed his life. Doyle proposed to the young lady, Judy, and together they sailed to Australia, where they were wed in 1969.

“Upon arrival, he applied for several jobs but received a lucky break from fellow countryman, John Allen, with whom he had coincidentally worked at Butlin's years prior. John was the brother of another Irish comedian - Dave Allen. John was working with NLT Productions, a well-known Sydney based theatrical agency and management, owned by Jack Neary, Bobby Limb, and Jack Tinker.

“NLT were responsible for booking the shows at Kogarah RSL, and John offered Doyle an engagement as a comedian/compere for their regular Saturday night variety show. Doyle’s quick wit and style impressed Neary, who quickly signed him to be represented by NLT Productions.”.

The tribute also included these words: “In the decades that followed, Brian made over 500 appearances on Australian TV as a stand-up comic including “The Big Gig” and a stint as guest compere on “The Midday Show”. Brian has acted in many local TV series, including a sustaining role in the soap opera “The Restless Years”.

The tribute ended with these words: “Vale Brian; thank you. Our condolences and love to Judy. The lights are now a little dimmer. There will be many waiting at heaven's stage door for your arrival.”

In response to the tribute, Brian Newman wrote: “As the producer of the Ricky May Tribute "A Little Sugar", a catch phrase that Ricky would use to thank his band...the muso's. Ricky died 31st May, 1988, not 98 as stated above. It was a very emotional night and everyone I asked to be a part of it had a very quick yes!

“Brian's segment we didn't rehearse and I agreed on that. Let Brian do what he does best! Although there was a huge applause following his tribute...it was sad and standing at the back of the Sydney Exhibition Ballroom, Darling Harbour with 1400 guests, tears flowed; a part of the night so different from the rest. I invited great talent to recreate Ricky's Gig... his regular songs he would do. It was a night for the industry and I'd like the thought of doing that for Brian...just for a laugh.”

Julie Monkers wrote: “The Master Of His Craft . Touring with Brian in a bus … ‘are we there yet ?’ was asked on the half hour ! He was in a league of his own.

“Thank you Mr Doyle, you will be missed …dear, dear , dear .”

In the 1970s, Brian Doyle appeared in the Australian soap opera The Restless Years and when US President Bill Clinton was on a speaking tour of Australia in 2002, Brian Doyle was his warm-up act.