Vale: Alex Beckett

British actor Alex Beckett, best known for UK comedies Twenty Twelve and its spin-off W1A has died, aged 35.

The cause of death has not been revealed.

Beckett’s agent Gavin Denton-Jones confirmed the news in a statement, describing him as “a wonderful man and a hugely talented actor”.

“Our thoughts are with his family and we kindly ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult time,” the statement reads.

Beckett played Barney Lumsden, who works for the agency Perfect Curve, in the satirical comedy W1A, as well as in Twenty Twelve, alongside co-stars Hugh Bonneville and Jessica Hynes. He also had a role in Netflix comedy The End of the F***ing World plus Survivor, Cuffs, Love Nina, I Live with Aliens, and Stath Let Flats.

Shane Allen, comedy commissioner at the BBC, said: “We’re all incredibly crushed to hear of Alex’s untimely death. He was a very prolific, versatile and much admired comedy star whose role as Barney Lumsden in both Twenty Twelve and W1A was a key ingredient of their success.

“We think of him fondly and our hearts go out to his family and friends at this painfully sad time.”

Twenty Twelve was the UK comedy on the London Olympics which attracted criticism by The Games Australian co-creator John Clarke. It screened in Australia on BBC First along with its spin-off W1A, which debuts on ABC Comedy on April 27.

Source: Independent