Steptoe & Son and Hancock writer Alan Simpson has died. He was 87 years old and had been suffering from lung disease.
Alongside Ray Galton he was a pioneer in the development of the modern sitcom, most famously writing Hancock's Half Hour for Tony Hancock.
Tributes have been coming in from the entertainment industry.
Writer Andy Riley tweeted: "Famous deaths don't generally hit me emotionally; this does. Like all comedy writers I owe this man a huge debt."
Danny Baker wrote: "Just heard about Alan Simpson. An absolute giant. No praise too high for what he & Ray created. Honoured to have shaken his hand."
Neil Gaiman tweeted: "The great Alan Simpson has died. I was lucky enough to meet & interview him & Ray Galton in 1985. They changed radio comedy, then TV comedy."
David Walliams wrote: "Alan Simpson was half of one of the greatest comedy writing duos of all time with Ray Galton 'Hancock' & 'Steptoe & Son' are masterpieces."
Buy The Galton & Simpson Playhouse here.
