Tributes paid to ‘showbiz trooper’ Lionel Blair who has died aged 92

Tributes have been paid to entertainer Lionel Blair following his death at the age of 92.

The TV star, who had a glittering career spanning 70 years, died in the early hours on Thursday (4 November) morning.

He appeared in Celebrity Big Brother in 2014 and the BBC reality series The Real Marigold Hotel in 2017, but was best known as a team captain on Give Us A Clue.

Tributes paid to ‘showbiz trooper’

Actress Bonnie Langford tweeted a picture of herself dancing with Blair, adding: “Dear Lionel. Privileged to have been your dance partner.”

Julian Clary tweeted: “RIP dear Lionel Blair. A showbiz trooper if ever there was.”

Singer Michael Ball tweeted: “A funny, kind, generous, compassionate and gifted man.

“So sad for his family and for our business. A total one off. RIP lovely man.”

‘He’s up there now entertaining with Una’

Christopher Biggins, TV star and friend of Blair, said they 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 Give Us A Clue, which Blair starred in 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.”

Biggins told the BBC: “He could sing, he could dance, he was just like Bruce Forsyth.”

He said Blair had a “great sense of humour” and is a “tribute to his wonderful family”, describing him as the “king of the pantomime” and a man who was “adored” by the public.