In a remarkable show of support, a fundraiser for the late Tony Slattery’s funeral expenses has surpassed £20,000 in donations this week.
The beloved comedian, 65, died on Tuesday morning (January 14) after suffering a heart attack earlier in the week. His long-term partner Mark Hutchinson, with whom he shared nearly four decades, confirmed the sad news.
Following his death, fans of the comic genius, famed for his roles on Whose Line Is It Anyway? and Have I Got News for You, have been pouring tributes and financial contributions into a Crowdfunding campaign.
The page poignantly notes: “Tony’s death was sudden and unexpected, and sadly he had not made any provisions for his funeral.”
Originally aiming for £8,000, the fundraiser has seen an overwhelming response, amassing over £20,000 from more than 800 contributors. According to the latest update, the fundraising effort will continue until next month, reports the Mirror.
A heartfelt message on the page, believed to have been created by a close friend, paints Tony as a “titan of British comedy,” but acknowledges that his later years were marred by mental health struggles that “diminished” his career.
The note goes on to reveal: “Life was starting to look rosy again when, to the great shock of all who knew him, he suffered a fatal heart attack.
“Because Tony was only just getting back to work, and because his passing was so unexpected, there wasn’t a Plan B in place. If you could give just a little towards a funeral for Tony, it would be a huge weight off Mark’s shoulders at this miserable time.”
Tony shot to stardom in the 1980s, regularly appearing on Channel 4’s Whose Line Is It Anyway? alongside big names like Stephen Fry. In addition to his comedic exploits, he also featured in several films, including Peter’s Friends (1992).
Despite his early success, Tony reportedly retreated from the limelight for a period. However, he recently made a comeback, launching his own podcast and embarking on a tour last year.
Throughout his life, Tony openly discussed his personal challenges, including a battle with substance abuse. At the peak of his addiction, he is reported to have spent up to £4,000 a week on cocaine.
The entertainer opened up about his battles with mental health, touching on his struggles with depression during a candid chat on This Morning in 2019. He’s also shone a light on bipolar disorder through the BBC documentary, What’s the Matter with Tony Slattery?
Tony found himself in financial dismay as he confronted issues stemming from substance abuse and mental health difficulties. It was disclosed that in a 2020 interview with Radio Times, he blamed his “fiscal illiteracy and general innumeracy,” along with “misplaced trust in people,” for his monetary troubles.
Despite these challenges, the comedian revealed his enthusiasm for returning to the limelight last year, as he told the Wirral Globe before a performance: “I’m back in the saddle and really looking forward to it.”
He further shared: “I’m finding my feet after a fallow period away from showbusiness and feel bouncy and eager to get back on stage.”
