Victoria Wood: Tributes to ‘brilliantly talented’ comedian

Figures frm the worlds of comedy and acting paid tribute to Victoria Wood, with many stars citing her as an inspiration.

Comedian James Corden said: "I'll always feel incredibly grateful that I got to see Victoria Wood on TV and in theatres.

“She was so brilliantly talented, what a sad day.”

Comedian Ricky Gervais also remembered her, writing: "RIP the brilliant Victoria Wood. So innovative, funny and down to earth. This has not been a good year."

Comedian and author Katy Brand wrote : "Thank you, Victoria. RIP."

Roger Moore

Bond actor Sir Roger Moore said the news was "difficult to absorb". He tweeted: "She was a total joy to work with and watch on TV. 2016 is becoming a terrible year."

Absolutely Fabulous actress Jennifer Saunders said: "Vic was simply one of the funniest writers and performers" that Britain has ever produced. "She was an inspiration and will be terribly missed. Am devastated that she has gone and my thoughts are with her family."

Comedian Sarah Millican said she was "incredibly sad" and described Wood as a "true comedy icon".

Journalist and author Caitlin Moran described the early influence Wood had on her, saying: "Seeing Victoria Wood on TV - working class, bookish, silly, clever, doing stand-up, singing, acting - made me think 'Girls can do this'."

Comedian Jenny Eclair said: "All of us women in comedy owe a huge debt of gratitude to Victoria - she paved the way."

Great British Bake Off host Sue Perkins wrote on Twitter: "RIP, the briilliant, brilliant Victoria Wood x"

Comedian and actor Jack Dee said he felt "privileged to have known and worked with the great Victoria Wood".

Fawlty Towers actor John Cleese said he was shocked by the news.

“I worked with her last year and was reminded of just what a superlative performer she was. Only 62 !” he tweeted.

Actor Danny Dyer said: "A world without Victoria Wood is a sad sad thing. My first major crush. R.I.P beautiful. 2016 ... the year of taking the greats."

Comedian John Bishop wrote on Twitter: "A true comedy legend #ripvictoriawood."

Illusionist Derren Brown tweeted: "No! Not Victoria Wood. What on earth is going on? A shy genius by all accounts. End of an era."

Comedian David Baddiel said: "I can't do it. I can't do it. I can't think Victoria Wood has gone."

Actress Minnie Driver wrote: "Oh no! Just waking up to news of Victoria Wood. Wood And Walters shaped my childhood, she was absolutely pure magic."

JK Rowling

Novelist JK Rowling posted a video of Wood performing Reincarnation Song, writing: “Watch and weep. 62 is far too young. RIP Victoria Wood.”

Coronation Street's Sue Cleaver, who starred in Wood's BBC comedy Dinnerladies, tweeted: "RIP Victoria. Taken far too soon."

Britain's Got Talent judge David Walliams said he had "happy memories watching #VictoriaWood's TV shows with my mum, dad & sister", and he described her as a "humble genius".

Sherlock creator and actor Mark Gatiss wrote: "Inconceivable that Victoria Wood has gone. She had a kindly yet savage eye for the ordinariness and the grotesquerie of life."

Actor Richard E Grant posted a photo of Wood on his Twitter account with the caption: “So so sad that Victoria Wood has died. Friends for two decades.”

TV presenting duo Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, better known as Ant and Dec, wrote: "Very sad to hear of the passing of Victoria Wood. Another great taken from us in 2016. RIP."

Press Association