Super-producer Bill Dare dies
Bill Dare has died, his agent confirmed this evening.
The writer and producer was primarily active in radio comedy, with his most notable achievement the long-running satirical sketch show Dead Ringers, which he created and produced across both its original radio and television incarnations.
He died over the weekend following an accident that occurred whilst overseas. No further details are known at this point.
The son of actor, writer and wit Peter Jones, Dare - full name Bill Dare Jones - is one of British comedy's great but often undersung influencers, championing new writing and performing talent through a range of comedy series.
From producing Week Ending and creating The Mary Whitehouse Experience to helming the tenth to seventeenth series of hit ITV sketch show Spitting Image, his work was hugely influential, critically lauded and popular with audiences.
In a statement, the JFL Agency said: "Bill was a truly legendary producer and writer, and his comedy instincts were second to none. He made Dead Ringers into a national institution for the BBC, due to mark its 25th anniversary this year. But Bill's creativity was unbounded - sketch shows, sitcoms, entertainment formats, novels, stage shows - he created them all and brought great pleasure to an untold number of viewers and listeners. He was also a great champion of talent, both writing and performing, and he will be remembered for working with the best of his generation at the same time as creating opportunities for the next."
Dare is survived by his wife, Lucy, and daughter Rebecca.