COMEDIAN and former Farnham Grammar School boy Jeremy Hardy, best known for his regular appearances on BBC Radio 4 panel shows like The News Quiz and I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue, has died of cancer aged 57.

His death was confirmed on Friday by his publicist, Amanda Emery, who added in a statement that he was with his wife and daughter when he died.

Born and raised in Farnborough, Hampshire, Hardy was the fifth and youngest child of rocket scientist Donald D Hardy.

He attended Farnham College and studied modern history and politics at the University of Southampton. Subsequently he failed to obtain a place on a journalism course, and considered becoming an actor or poet.

He began his stand-up career in the 1980s, going on to win the Perrier Comedy Award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1988 and best live act at the ITV Comedy Awards in 1991.

On TV he appeared on shows like QI and sketch programme Now - Something Else.

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