Tributes Follow Satirist Sean Crummey's Death

One of those lampooned by satirist Sean Crummey has been quick off the mark to pay tribute to the well-known funny man, who has died.

Alliance Leader David Ford said: "I would like to extend my sympathies to Sean's families and friends.

"Sean was one of Northern Ireland's most popular and admired comics.

"He helped move NI forward by encouraging politicians to laugh at themselves. He will be fondly missed by all the folks on the hill who he impersonated in his shows," said the Stormont Justice Minister as he paid tribute to political satirist who died at the weekend.

Mr Crummey, (pictured here by Brian McCalden at the premiere of his stage satire, Stormont, with the Sinn Fein MLA, Gerry Kelly) was best known for his television and radio show 'The Folks on the Hill' and for impersonating the voices of Northern Ireland's politicians on the comedy sketch show on Radio Ulster.

Gerry Kelly said today that a "satirical genius" has been lost with the passing of Sean Crummey.

"I send my deepest sympathy to Sean's family and friends at this sad time. His satire and humour was always very pointed but never vicious.

"As a political satirist Sean Crummey was at the top of his field and his ability to, not only mimic those involved in politics, but also to make comedy of the latest political goings on - was legendary," he said.

The Folks On The Hill began in 2001 with sketches involving local and international politicians, as well as TV and sports celebrities.

First Minister Peter Robinson has also paid tributes to impersonator Sean Crummey, saying his untimely death was "like losing a bit of yourself" while party colleague DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson said Mr Crummey had "a great talent as a mimic":

"It was a good way of people relating to their politicians, even though it was at times not only humorous but also closer to reality than some of us might have cared."

The Foyle MP and former SDLP Leader Mark Durkan also paid tribute, saying that he was deeply saddened to hear about Mr Crummey, who died yesterday in hospital from a cancer-related illness.

(BMcC/GK)