‘Spitting Image’ producer Bill Dare dies after an accident abroad
Bill Dare, the producer of comedy show Spitting Image, has died following an accident abroad, his agent has shared in a statement.
As well as producing eight series of the beloved TV show, Dare enjoyed a long career making comedy shows such as The Mary Whitehouse Experience, Dead Ringers, and I’ve Never Seen Star Wars.
“We are shocked and greatly saddened to have to announce the death of our brilliant client Bill Dare, who died at the weekend following an accident overseas,’ his representatives, JFL Agency, shared. “Our thoughts are with his wife Lucy, daughter Rebecca, and with all of Bill’s family and friends who will be devastated by his loss. Bill was a truly legendary producer and writer, and his comedy instincts were second to none”.
No further details of his death have been revealed at this time, as well as his age at the time of his passing.
Impressionist Jon Culshaw, who worked with Dare on the show Dead Ringers, posted on Instagram: “It’s impossible to express the unreal sense of loss at the passing of the incredible Bill Dare. The wisest comedy alchemist and the dearest, dearest friend.. Much love to Lucy and all Bill’s family and friends. We shall all miss him more than we can say”.
BBC Studios Audio’s creative director of comedy and entertainment Richard Morris paid tribute, saying: “Bill was a legendary figure in the comedy world and we, his friends and colleagues in radio will miss him hugely. We’ll miss the sharp wit and wisdom he brought to every production he worked on”.
Airing for 134 episodes between 1984 and 1996, Spitting Image was a sketch comedy show where prominent celebrities were satirised by being turned into puppets that exaggerated their features. The show was a British TV staple for over a decade, and rose to prominence for its mockery of political figures like then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and the Royal Family.
Watched by an audience of 15million at its peak, the show was seen as immensely influential in the world of comedy satire and British culture, particularly in the 1980s. The band Genesis worked with the show to use their puppets in the music video for the song ‘Land Of Confusion’, while Sting recorded a parody version of his song ‘Every Breath You Take’ for the series.
The show released a novelty single in 1986 titled ‘The Chicken Song’, a parody of ‘80s dance hit ‘Agadoo’ by Black Lace. The song reached number one in the UK charts for three weeks. In 2020, a revival of the show was commissioned for streamer BritBox, but was cancelled in 2022.
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Victoria Luxford
NME
