Tributes after Jeremy Hardy – possibly the UK’s funniest political commentator – dies of cancer
Celebrated: Jeremy Hardy.
This is a bitter blow.
I never knew Jeremy Hardy personally. He performed here in Mid Wales several times (if I recall correctly) but I never got to see him due to my own poverty. I had other priorities and I think he would have sympathised with my choices.
Instead, I had to make do with enjoying his many appearances on radio shows including I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue and The News Quiz, in which we were privileged to hear a man with an incisive mind cut through the propaganda of right-wing politics and neoliberalism with biting wit.
You can tell the quality of the man by the roll call of famous names that have come out to give tribute. Here are just a few, in no particular order. Some have tweeted clips of the late Mr Hardy’s legendary wit. Enjoy: – and feel free to leave your own tribute in the ‘comment’ box below:
Jeremy Hardy "retained to the end the principles that guided his life: trying to make the world more humane, and to be wonderfully funny", his publicist said pic.twitter.com/KgmvbFyPsY
— Richard Woodward (@WoodwardRJ) February 1, 2019
"I think I'm best on the radio, really. I know my place. Me and Finisterre." In 2007, ISIHAC host Jack Dee interviewed Jeremy for Chain Reaction. It's a lovely piece, and a rare look at what made him tick. https://t.co/LmboZsWPia
— BBC Radio 4 (@BBCRadio4) February 1, 2019
As a near religious listener of the News Quiz, I'm so saddened to hear of Jeremy Hardy's death. I'll miss his beautifully crafted rants, steeped in social purpose, that so often turned comedy into poetry. #ripjeremy
— Martin Lewis (@MartinSLewis) February 1, 2019
Very sorry to hear that Jeremy Hardy has passed away. He was a stalwart at left wing benefit gigs and will be greatly missed by friends and fans. My thoughts are with his family. https://t.co/5tP7gviBC1
— Billy Bragg (@billybragg) February 1, 2019
Utterly devastated to hear of Jeremy Hardy's death. He was such a wonderful guy, hilarious, full of humanity and heart, committed to fighting for a world without injustice. Just a lovely bloke. Fuck cancer. RIP Jeremy Hardy ❤️
— Owen Jones (@OwenJones84) February 1, 2019
I was very lucky to work with Jeremy Hardy early in my career. Every day was a masterclass, a privilege. He was so naturally and brilliantly funny, and a man who chose to use his comedy to change the world, rather than to fill stadia. A very sad day. #RIPJeremy
— Richard Osman (@richardosman) February 1, 2019
The following message is particularly touching for those of us who were devotees of The News Quiz when it’s previous – legendary – mainstay, the late Alan Coren, was making it unmissable every week:
Jeremy Hardy was so special and brilliant and mischievous, a miracle of a person. I loved him a lot. He was so kind when my father died. My dad admired him enormously. It’s so sad.
— Victoria Coren Mitchell (@VictoriaCoren) February 1, 2019
Sad beyond measure that Jeremy Hardy died this morning. Unfussy, unshowy, principled, self-deprecating, hugely loved & admired by his fellow comedians, and funnier than the lot of us put together. A unique comedian & a lovely man.
— Rory Bremner 💙🇺🇦 (@rorybremner) February 1, 2019
Rest In Power Jeremy Hardy – sticking it to the bourgeoisie with devastating wit for as long as I can remember – a hugely effective writer and activist for the left + the anti-war and Palestinian struggles. Always there, fearlessly, at the right time. Condolences to all…
— Paul Mason (@paulmasonnews) February 1, 2019
Saddened to lose our good & loyal friend Jeremy Hardy. As well as being a brilliant comedian, whenever the call for solidarity went out, Jeremy courageously supported campaigns for social justice from the Guildford 4, the miners strike to the plight of refugees. We all loved him.
— John McDonnell MP (@johnmcdonnellMP) February 1, 2019
Jeremy Hardy was a dear, lifelong friend. He always gave his all for everyone else and the campaigns for social justice.
You made us all smile. You made us all think.
Rest in peace, Jeremy. pic.twitter.com/9ClbaPyDO0
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) February 1, 2019
Here’s my own little tribute:
While I'm devastated by the too-early death of #JeremyHardy I hope there will be a memorial service in which everybody will sing the hymns in the style that made him a legend on #ISIHAC
— Mike Sivier (@MidWalesMike) February 1, 2019
… and this is an example of how that might sound:
Jeremy Hardy Sings "Hallelujah" In The Style Of George Formby https://t.co/wOIlS25eLZ
— John Rain 🥇 (@ItsJohnRain) February 1, 2019
Of course it wouldn’t be a proper tribute without highlighting the fact that Mr Hardy spoke truth to power.
Here is Jeremy Hardy dropping truth bomb after truth bomb on Tony Blair & Alistair Campbell after the release of the Chilcot Report. A man who spoke truth to power. Rest in power. pic.twitter.com/dzCRknzESC
— Stop the War (@STWuk) February 1, 2019
Here he is laying out the truth about Jeremy Corbyn – and exposing the lie about “Taking back control”:
corbyn couldn't be more british frankie boyle said he bleeds tea he's got an allotment rides a bike one time he put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a bunch of daffodil bulbs and gave them too me
jeremy hardy pic.twitter.com/Zl2P6uE1ya— ARTIST TAXI DRIVER (@chunkymark) February 1, 2019
And here he is speaking up for the National Health Service:
“So you are sticking up for the NHS Jeremy” “I am Mark the NHS is socialism in action” Jeremy Hardy pic.twitter.com/us6tFifqXb
— ARTIST TAXI DRIVER (@chunkymark) February 1, 2019
The media are labelling Jeremy Hardy "the left-wing comedian". Yes, he was left-wing but the more significant thing is that he was a FUNNY comedian, and there aren't too many of the current crop you can say that about.
— Briefcase Michael (@BriefcaseMike) February 1, 2019
Today the union movement has lost a great friend, a brilliant comedian and voice for social justice. RIP Jeremy Hardy pic.twitter.com/3950zrXeHw
— CWU (@CWUnews) February 1, 2019
Oh, and one serious note that certain followers of This Site need to take to heart:
Lovely to see so many people speaking well of Jeremy Hardy. He was indeed a tremendous person, and an honest one. I hope you'll do him the courtesy of heeding his words… https://t.co/G4F21gujrS
— Pete Sinclair (@pete_sinclair) February 1, 2019
One thing I hope won’t happen – and we see it a lot with political comedy – is that Jeremy Hardy’s insight will be laid to rest with him.
People die and life moves on, yes – but the issues he discussed are still with us. Just look at some of the examples above: the Middle East is still a bloodbath, privatisation is still a blot on our services and utilities, Brexit is an ongoing farce and Jeremy Corbyn is still regularly accused of racism and terrorism by people of bad faith. Jeremy Hardy’s words put the opposing ideology in its proper context and I think those words should remain available as an antidote for when people on the other side try to present their nonsense to us.
Jeremy Hardy might have passed but his words should live on – because they are funny and true and they nourish us in hard times.
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RIP Jeremy Hardy.
A fine socialist and a very funny man: we can learn a lot from his example. Are there any funny conservatives out there? Or are they all poker-faced savages! I don’t know.
I find many Conservatives side-splittingly hilarious. It’s only those who have some power who are no laughing matter.
A great comedian. A great activist. A great bloke. He will be sorely missed and he gone way too soon. We need a lot more Jeremy Hardy’s.