British comedian and satirist John Fortune has died, aged 74.

The Cambridge University-educated funnyman died on Tuesday (31Dec13).

Confirming the sad news, his agent Vivienne Clore says, "It is with great sadness that I write of the death of John Fortune this morning aged 74. He died peacefully with his wife, Emma and dog Grizelle, at his bedside."

He is perhaps best known for his Tv collaborations with Rory Bremner and John Bird, with whom he shared a BAFTA in 1997 for their work on Rory Bremner, Who Else?

Paying tribute to his pal via Twitter.com, Bremner called Fortune "a lovely man" and "a dear friend", adding he was a "brilliant and fearless satirist".

Fortune also appeared in the films The Tailor of Panama and Match Point.