R.I.P. Mel Smith (1952 - 2013)

British comedy favourite Mel Smith passed away yesterday after suffering a heart attack aged 60, his agent has revealed via a statement. The comedian, actor, writer and director was best known for his work on the sketch shows Not the Nine O'Clock News and Alas Smith and Jones, which saw him starring alongside his long-time comedy partner Griff Rhys Jones. The duo also formed Talkback Productions in 1981, with the production company going to produce a number of popular British comedy shows, including I'm Alan Partridge, Smack the Pony, Da Ali G Show and Never Mind the Buzzcocks.

As well as appearing in several movies including Morons from Outer Space (which co-wrote with Jones) and The Princess Bride, Smith also directed several films, beginning in 1989 with his feature film debut, the romantic comedy The Tall Guy, penned by Not the Nine O'Clock News writer Richard Curtis; the pair would reunite with another star of the satirical alternative comedy show in 1997, with Smith directing Rowan Atkinson in the smash hit comedy Bean. Smith's other directing credits include Radioland Murders, High Heels and Low Lifes and his last film Blackball, which was released in 2003. Most recently, he appeared in the BBC drama series Dancing on the Edge, which aired earlier this year.