Tributes have been paid to comedian Jo Fletcher-Cross who has died.

Fletcher-Cross was one of comedy organisation Funny Women’s non-executive directors and was the inspiration for The Glitter Project, which was set up to support Edinburgh Fringe-bound aspiring acts, who might find navigating the world’s largest arts festival overwhelming.

Jo Fletcher-Cross was diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma brain tumour in summer 2022 on the eve of her Edinburgh debut.

At the time of its launch she said: “My proudest achievements in life have been to spread joy, laughter and a little bit of glitter along my way. I’ve been honoured to work alongside some brilliant funny women throughout my career, and I’m delighted that The Glitter Project will provide many more with the tools and the courage to keep the laughter flowing for many years to come."

Fletcher-Cross was in her mid-forties and married with one child. As well as performing stand-up she worked as a journalist for National Geographic.

The Glitter Project had been such a success it expanded after receiving a grant from the National Lottery via Arts Council England. The Glitter Project, ‘A Safe Place’ provides a series of Mentoring Meetups and Open Mic nights across six locations: London, Medway, Brighton, Birmingham, Bristol and Manchester. One is due to take place in Brighton in May. 

Comedian Meryl O'Rourke wrote on Facebook: "A wonderful woman, so happy and friendly and open- a lesson to us all on living with cancer- a lesson to the medical books on out surviving our diagnoses. All thoughts with Rowan and family."