Stand-up comedian and Mock the Week writer Phil Jerrod, 42, dies from rare cancer as fellow comics pay tribute to the 'kind and talented' star

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Mock The Week star Phil Jerrod has died at the age of 42 from a rare cancer, as fellow comics paid tribute to the 'kind and talented' star. 

The stand-up comic passed away on Saturday with his wife, Beck, by his side, according to a statement from his agent. 

It is not known how long Phil had been suffering with sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that affects bones and soft tissue. 

Nish Kumar today led tributes to his fellow comedian, tweeting: 'This is awful news. A great comic and a lovely man.'

The Brighton-based star supported Romesh Ranganathan on his UK tour in 2016, and wrote for radio and television shows The Now Show, The News Quiz, and Mock The Week. 

Today Ranganathan described him as a 'brilliant comic' and 'one of the kindest and loveliest men you could ever meet'.

He wrote on Instagram: 'Phil Jerrod was one of my very best friends and I loved him dearly.

'He was a brilliant comic, but more importantly one of the kindest and loveliest men you could ever meet. You would always feel better for having spent time with him. I will miss him so much.'

It is a second tragedy to hit the world of comedy after Eight Out Of Ten Cats star Sean Lock died of cancer aged 58 last month. 

The Brighton-based comedian began his stand-up career underneath an Angus Steakhouse in 2012

It is not known how long Phil had been suffering with sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that affects bones and soft tissue

The stand-up comic (pictured) passed away on Saturday with his wife, Beck, by his side

The Mock The Week star passed away at the age of 42 from a rare cancer

The sad news was revealed on Saturday in a statement from the comedian's agent 

The much-loved comedian shared pictures of his family life with fans on social media 

Fellow comics Nish Kumar and Rhys James both paid tribute to Jarrod

Rhys James tweeted: 'Such a kind soul and funny comedian. Very sad.' 

In a statement announcing his death, Jerrod's agency, Off The Kerb said: 'It is with deep sadness we have to announce the death of Phil Jerrod.

'Phil peacefully passed away at home after a battle with cancer, with his devoted wife Beck by his side.

'Phil's critically acclaimed stand up and comedy writing meant he was incredibly respected by his peers, supporting and writing with many of his comedy heroes.

'Phil was a dear friend to us, an incredibly kind and talented man, who was taken far too soon. 

'He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.' 

His online bio states Phil, 'began his stand-up career underneath an Angus Steakhouse in 2012.'

It adds: 'Since then he has failed his PhD, walked out of his job in publishing and been entertaining audiences up and down the country with his elegant rants on the often unfathomable problems of modern life.'

The star also had a huge fanbase on his podcast Crash Bang Wallop, which launched in 2018. 

Jerrod had previously supported Channel 4's Romesh Ranganathan on his 2016 tour, and has also accompanied Angela Barnes and Seann Walsh. 

He was awarded Best Debut Act at the Leicester Comedy Festival in 2015, and had taken three critically acclaimed solo shows to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (Neanderthal 2015, Hypocrite 2016 and Submerged 2017). 

Barnes - who had previously started a Just Giving page for the charity Sarcoma UK - described Jerrod as a 'great friend'. 

His agency said, 'Phil peacefully passed away at home after a battle with cancer, with his devoted wife Beck by his side'

Jerrod had previously supported Channel 4's Romesh Ranganathan on his 2016 tour, and has also accompanied Angela Barnes (pictured with her tribute) and Seann Walsh

His online bio states Phil, 'began his stand-up career underneath an Angus Steakhouse in 2012.'

Jerrod had previously supported Channel 4's Romesh Ranganathan on his 2016 tour, and has also accompanied Angela Barnes and Seann Walsh

'On Saturday we had to say goodbye to one of my best friends, the incomparable Phil Jerrod,' he said. 

'One of the most loving, funniest and most creative people I've known. 

'All my thoughts are with Beck, your beloved wife. I love you Phil, life won't be the same again. Utterly heartbroken.' 

Lloyd Griffith said: 'Such awful news. Not only was Phil really bloody funny, but he was the nicest man you'd ever bump into. 

'Thoughts and prayers with Beck. Cancer can f*** off.'