Les Dennis pays tribute to Dustin Gee 40 years after comedy legend and close friend’s tragic death in Southport
TV legend and comedian Les Dennis has paid tribute to his close friend and colleague Dustin Gee who tragically died 40 years today after performing on stage in Southport.
Les Dennis said: “40 years ago we lost the wonderful Dustin Gee, my comedy partner and best friend aged 43. Just think what he might have achieved had he lived. Miss you my friend.”
The two comedians were huge stars as they performed in the Cinderella pantomime at Southport Theatre from 20th December 1985.
At 8.15pm on 1 January 1986, Dustin Gee, who was playing one of the ugly sisters, suffered a massive heart attack.
At the end of a scene, Dustin clutched his left arm and when they reached their dressing room he said to his friend Les Dennis ‘I think I am dying’, collapsed and lost consciousness.
Basil Soper, the show’s company manager, was successful in reviving him.
Gee was accompanied to Southport General Hospital, but on arrival, collapsed and fell unconscious.
The following day Dennis and Roger Edwards (Gee’s PA) were by his bedside, Dustin Gee was unconscious and they both urged him to keep fighting and he raised a finger. Dustin woke up at 7.50am the following day, asked for a cup of tea and some ice cream. According to his family members who were with him, he was “quite chatty”, thanked them for coming, said they must see him in pantomime and asked where his watch was. He was sitting up for a while and it appeared as if he was going to recover.
However, later that morning Dustin lost consciousness again and his condition deteriorated. He tragically died at 12.45 pm.
The world mourned one of the most talented comedy performers for generations.
His funeral was held on 9th January 1986, at St Oswald’s Church, at Fulford, York.
Three hundred people attended, amongst them Liz Dawn, Bill Tarmey, Thelma Barlow, Sherrie Hewson, Dana, Johnnie Hamp, The Krankies, John Birt and Les Dennis.
Dustin Gee was the stage name of Gerald Harrison, a legendary British impressionist and comedian, best known for his double act with Les Dennis.
After 20 years in showbusiness, he got his television break on Who Do You Do?, an ITV showcase that gave opportunities for up-and-coming entertainers and impressionists. From April 1980 to July 1985, he was a guest on Russ Abbot’s Madhouse.
Les Dennis became one of the cast in 1982 and Gee and Dennis formed an hilarious double act with their impressions of Coronation Street’s Vera Duckworth and Mavis Riley (played by Les Dennis).
On 7th April 1984 Dustin Gee and Les Dennis began their own TV comedy show, The Laughter Show (retitled, Les & Dustin’s Laughter Show for the third series). The first episode of a third series aired on Saturday 28th December 1985, the second episode was postponed two weeks after Dustin Gee died. The BBC cancelled the rest of the series, but it was resumed on request of Dustin Gee’s family, on Saturday 18th January 1986.
He remains a comedy legend much missed by all who knew him or saw him perform.
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