Grace confirmed his death on Monday, saying in a statement: “Without any fuss or bother, he simply slipped away yesterday afternoon while I was walking the dog.
“Never even fell off his perch, so to speak. I know it will be an enormous shock, as it was to me, but I am consoled by his complete lack of pain or suffering.”
Tony, who was known as Ronnie Golden professionally, appeared alongside Rik Mayall and Ade Edmondson in the second episode of the 1980s sitcom The Young Ones.
In the memorable scene, his character was shown hanging upside down from the ceiling as Buddy Holly, still attached to his parachute.
The Young Ones star Ronnie Golden, pictured in 2017, has died aged 78. His partner Grace Carley confirmed the news in a statement released on Monday.
Golden later appeared on the influential satirical series Spitting Image. He first rose to prominence in 1975 as a singer and guitarist with the new-wave band The Fabulous Poodles.
Following the group’s split, Tony established a successful career in comedy.
He performed solo and with The Comic Strip on the alternative comedy circuit, adopting the stage name Ronnie Golden.
Grace has invited Tony’s friends and former colleagues to share their memories of him.
Musical comedian Steve Gribbin described him as a “comedy legend”, a highly entertaining performer, an excellent musician and “an all-round good fella”.
“Every year I would see him at the Comedians’ Christmas Party, my eyes would always light up,” Gribbin wrote.
“He was such a brilliant raconteur and he loved his music with a rare and incandescent passion. He was a very funny man, and a lovely human being. My heart goes out to Grace and all his family.”
British new-wave group The Fabulous Poodles during a US tour in March 1979. From left: bassist Richie Robertson, lead singer and guitarist Tony de Meur, violinist Bobby Valentino and drummer Bryn Burrows.
In The Young Ones, his character was shown hanging upside down from the ceiling as Buddy Holly, still wearing his parachute.
Comedy performer Charmian Hughes recalled that Tony had been part of her professional life for as long as she had been performing. She also remembered seeing The Fabulous Poodles at St Andrews University.
“We shared so many bills and a true comedy friendship,” she wrote. “His domestic bliss with you was beautiful to behold and our hearts and love go out to you.”
Peter Grahame, who runs the Downstairs at the King’s Head comedy club in Crouch End, said the news was still sinking in and that he felt he had known Tony “for ever”.
“Our thoughts are with you, his friends and family,” Grahame added. “The Stannah Stairlift has a new passenger today and I bet Barry has a few gags about the afterlife ready.”
