Friday Night Dinner’s Tamsin Greig reveals heart-breaking warning to late Paul Ritter before anniversary special
FRIDAY Night Dinner star Paul Ritter was encouraged by co-star Tamsin Greig not to take part in its upcoming anniversary special due to his ill-health, according to the actress.
Tamsin, 54, who stars as Paul's wife in the sitcom, has recalled Paul's courage of pressing ahead with filming despite his brain tumour.
Paul tragically died in April, but fans will be able to see him grace their screens one final time as he went ahead with filming for the Channel 4 comedy.
The documentary-style special is set to air on May 28 and will be Paul's last performance.
Speaking to Metro, Tamsin opened up on how she tried to encourage her friend and co-worker to not take part and focus on his health.
The star said Paul was "pretty unwell" during the filming process but bravely carried on.
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She told the publication: "Sadly at the time of making the documentary, Paul was pretty unwell and to be honest – and don’t tell the producers this – but I did try and persuade him not to do the interview.
"But it is testament to Paul’s courage and generosity and dignity and complete lack of vanity that he wanted to participate in the documentary, to do an interview, and to really celebrate this little world that he’s been a part of and that he’s enjoyed so much over the years."
In Friday Night Dinner, Paul starred as the character Martin Goodman, who leaves behind many loved phrases such as "a lovely bit of squirrel".
Paul will star in the anniversary special, Friday Night Dinner - 10 Years And A Lovely Bit Of Squirrel, later this month.
He will appear beside his usual co-stars Tamsin, Simon Bird and Tom Rosenthal.
The star died at the age of 54, with his agent confirming the news to The Guardian in April.
In a statement, the agent said the actor died at home with his family by his side.
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The statement said: "It is with great sadness we can confirm that Paul Ritter passed away last night.
"He died peacefully at home with his wife Polly and sons Frank and Noah by his side. He was 54 and had been suffering from a brain tumour.
"Paul was an exceptionally talented actor playing an enormous variety of roles on stage and screen with extraordinary skill.
"He was fiercely intelligent, kind and very funny. We will miss him greatly."