Tributes have poured in from across the entertainment and broadcasting industry for the showbiz veteran Lionel Blair who died at the age of 92 yesterday.
The veteran showbiz star, who was a prominent figure on British TV screens throughout the late 1960s, the 1970s, died in the early hours on Thursday surrounded by his family, his management company confirmed.
The star's agent said: 'He got to a very ripe old age, he was loved by his family, and I think he died in their company, which is lovely.'
Last night actress Bonnie Langford shared a picture of herself dancing with Blair, alongside the message: 'Dear Lionel. Privileged to have been your dance partner.'
And Piers Morgan tweeted: 'RIP Lionel Blair, 92. A wonderful all-round entertainer & lovely man. Sad news.'
Tributes have poured for Lionel Blair who died at the age of 92 yesterday surrounded by his family
Actress Bonnie Langford shared a picture of herself dancing with Blair while Piers Morgan called Blair 'all-round entertainer and lovely man'. Singer Sheila Ferguson said Blair had been her 'friend since the 70's'
Singer Sheila Ferguson, who appeared with Blair on the Real Marigold Hotel, wrote: 'OMG. I just heard that my darling LionelBlair has passed away.
'Iconically I was just thinking about him today. My heart hurts. RIPLionelBlair. Friend since the 70's, #TheRealMarigoldHotel and beyond.'
Broadcaster Danny Baker tweeted: 'The greatest showbiz story I know has Lionel Blair as it's hero. Honestly. I could tell it here.
'But I knew Lionel well. He would be, 'Oh no darling, keep it for the act, don't throw that away, are you mad?' So I will.
'Blackheath Halls January 8th-9th. And bless you, Guvnor.'
Author Emma Kennedy tweeted: 'I am very glad I got to meet Lionel Blair. He was a Phenomenon. Full of magical, fruity, end with a wink anecdotes. What a career. What a talent. £RIPLionel'
While actor Julian Clary tweeted: 'RIP dear Lionel Blair. A showbiz trooper if ever there was.'
Stand-up comedian Ed Byrne tweeted: 'One of the highlights of my short lived Saturday morning radio show on BBC London (which I co hosted with my mother) was when we had Lionel Blair as a guest.
'Smoking fags and knocking back gin and tonics with us at 11am. We even got him to tap dance on a sheet of plywood. Legend,' he said.
Actor Antony Cotton tweeted: 'Good night, Lionel Blair. I was honoured to have met, and worked with him a couple of times. He was divine x'
And comedian and writer Gyles Brandreth tweeted a picture of himself with Lionel Blair, saying: 'Lionel Blair - he was just the best: a powerhouse of positivity and a wonderful talent as a dancer, choreographer & entertainer.
Also paying tribute to the veteran star last night was comedian Ed Byrne, singer Michael Ball and comedian and writer Gyles Brandreth
'He told me stories of his time with Errol Flynn & Ernest Hemingway - he lived his long life to the full & leaves a legacy of style & smiles & laughter.'
Elsewhere Christopher Biggins said he and Blair often spoke on the phone and Blair had called him two weeks ago but he was out at the time.
He told BBC News: 'He was just the most wonderful, kind, funny, real giver of life. His energy was extraordinary.'
Biggins said he got to know Blair on the long-running show Give Us a Clue which Blair did opposite Una Stubbs who also died this year.
'He's up there now entertaining with Una, I'm sure,' he said.
Biggins said Blair was 'very competitive' and 'loved to win', adding: 'He was just marvellous, a wonderful entertainer who will be sadly missed.'
The TV star said Blair had a 'great sense of humour' and was a 'tribute to his
