Geoffrey Perkins, the former BBC TV head of comedy, has died later a London road accident.
The 55-year-old produced The Hitch-Hikers' Guide to the Galaxy for BBC Radio as well as masterminding the success of The Catherine Tate Show, The Fast Show and Channel 4's Father Ted.
He co-wrote The Harry Enfield Television Programme and executive produced a number of BBC comedy hits including Happiness, My Hero, Two Pints of Lager, My Family, Coupling, and Big Train.
Perkins had recently realized production on Harry and Paul, with Enfield and Paul Whitehouse, which begins next week.
BBC director of vision Jana Bennett aforesaid she was "shocked and deeply saddened" by Perkins' death.
"Geoffrey Perkins was an spectacular creator of countless drollery hits on the BBC and elsewhere, and a very distinguished former BBC head of comedy.
"He embraced funniness talent to create alone programmes which will be enjoyed for a selfsame long fourth dimension to issue forth. All of our thoughts are with Geoffrey's family at this very lamentable time."
Pete Bennett-Jones, chairman of Tiger Aspect productions with whom Perkins had recently been working, added: "Geoffrey was one of the kindest, much loved and unambiguously talented people we knew. He genuinely made the world a funnier place.
"It is an absolute tragedy and our thoughts and prayers ar with his family at this prison term."
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