2020 certainly took its toll on comedy. From veteran comics to circuit regulars to writers and backroom movers and shakers, it was a bad year. 

Below BTJ salutes those that have made us smile that we lost in 2020. 

Derek Fowlds – Yes, Minister star and Basil Brush's chum.

Terry Jones – Monty Python legend

Nicholas Parsons – iconic Just A Minute host

Dave Mounfield – Count Arthur Strong lynchpin

Roy Hudd – from variety to soap star

John Langdon – acclaimed comedy writer

CP Lee – musician-turned-academic

Eddie Large – half of Little and Large duo

Tim Brooke-Taylor – Goodie and part of 1960s comedy wave

Jerry Stiller – Ben's dad and star in his own right

Margarita Pracatan – musician much loved by Clive James

Carl Reiner – Hollywood legend

Richard Preddy – Smack the Pony/Green Wing writer

Anthony Goodrick – vital part of the New Act of the Year backroom team 

Gina Ryan (pictured above) – much-loved circuit comic

Ian Royce – Comic and X Factor warm-up man

Rodney Litchfield Early Doors' Old Tommy.

George Jeffrie – Windsors co-writer

James Randi - Magician, entertainer

Archie Lyndhurst – Star of CBBC comedy So Awkward and the son of Nicholas Lyndhurst

Rowena Haley – rising musical star who also worked on TV shows with Jon Richardson and Paul O'Grady

Stan Vernon – founder member of Manchester’s thriving comedy scene

Bobby Ball – half of classic double act with Tommy Cannon

John Sessions – multi-talented improvisor/actor/writer

Peter Goodwright – veteran impressionist

Geoffrey Palmer – sitcom regular from Butterflies to Reggie Perrin

Des O'Connor – light entertainment star

Dame Barbara Windsor – Carry On/EastEnders figure

Martin Lambie-Nairn – man behind some of TV's most famous idents who also helped give birth to spitting Image.

Apologies in advance for any omissions. This list is not comprehensive.