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Clive James, the Australian poet, critic and broadcaster admired around the world for his dry wit and bravery in the face of a long battle with leukaemia, has died at the age of 80.
James died ‘surrounded by his family and his books’, his agent announced today, as friends paid tribute to a ‘brilliantly kind and funny man’ known for his wry commentary during his long career as a literary critic and TV columnist.
The star of The Clive James Show, he was diagnosed with leukaemia, kidney failure and lung disease in 2010, writing and updating his own obituary over the years.
In 2011, James first publicly revealed he was suffering from terminal leukaemia and had been fighting the blood cancer since the year before that.
He regularly quipped about his own mortality, and in October 2015 admitted feeling ’embarrassment’ at still being alive a year after predicting his imminent death.
James died at home in Cambridge on November 24 and a private funeral attended by family and close friends took place in the chapel at Pembroke College, Cambridge on Wednesday.
A statement on behalf of his family, released by his agents, said: ‘Clive died almost ten years after his first terminal diagnosis, and one month after he laid down his pen for the last time.
‘He endured his ever-multiplying illnesses with patience and good humour, knowing until the last moment that he had experienced more than his fair share of this ‘great, good world’.
‘He was grateful to the staff at Addenbrooke’s Hospital for their care and kindness, which unexpectedly allowed him so much extra time.
‘His family would like to thank the nurses of the Arthur Rank Hospice at Home team for their help in his last days, which allowed him to die peacefully and at home, surrounded by his family and his books.’
The news produced an outpouring of tributes from the worlds of arts and showbusiness.
Actor and theatre director Samuel West said: ‘We were lucky to have him for so long after his diagnosis. We were lucky to have him at all. RIP Clive James.’
TV presenter Gaby Roslin said: ‘Clive James you were unique.
‘You were incredibly kind to me and there will never be anyone quite like you. My love and thoughts to his family and friends. A very sad loss of a brilliant man.’
Musician Alison Moyet said on Twitter: ‘Ah, Clive James. You bright, beaming boy. Our loss.’
Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan tweeted: ‘RIP Clive James, 80. A brilliantly funny man.’
Broadcaster the Rev Richard Coles said: ‘Woe, Clive James has also died, the best telly critic that ever there was, who once described Barbara Cartland’s face as looking like two crows that had crashed into the white cliffs of Dover.’
‘A magnificent, witty, hugely talented man, whose company was always a pleasure. Thank God he fought off his disease so long.’
Meanwhile, Stephen Fry paid a twin tribute to James and Jonathan Miller, the director and humorist who also died today, aged 85.
He tweeted: ‘Clive James and Jonathan Miller – two heroes of mine growing up. Each so wildly and profusely gifted in so many directions.
‘Very sorry to think they’re not in this world any more. And I just heard that Gary Rhodes has been snatched from us too. How very sad.’
Monty Python star Eric Idle tweeted: ‘Savage news this morning. To lose one friend is bad but to lose two reeks of carelessness.
‘The beloved hilarious genius Jonathan Miller who dramatically changed my life three times, and dear Clive James my pal at Cambridge. Its rainy day in LA appropriate for tears.’
BBC director-general Tony Hall said: ‘Clive James was a clever, witty and thought-provoking broadcaster.
‘He had a huge range of talents and everything he did was essential listening or viewing. He is irreplaceable.’
Bafta also paid tribute to James, tweeting: ‘We are very sorry to hear of the death of Clive James, BAFTA Special Award winner. Clive is pictured here presenting Victoria Wood her first BAFTA in 1986.’
James first revealed the news of his illness in May 2011, when he had already been ill for 15 months – when he wrote to The Australian Literary Review to explain why he could not write for them.
Born in Sydney in 1939, James became the television critic for The Observer in 1972 and selections from his column, which he wrote for more than ten years, were published in three books.
He ventured into memoir in 1980, when he published the first book of his autobiography and it was followed by four other volumes, as well as four novels.
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