Who was Bill Dare? ‘Spitting Image’ producer dies in overseas accident 

Bill Dare, renowned producer of the comedy show Spitting Image, has died unexpectedly in an accident overseas, his agent revealed in a statement.

Dare, known for contributing to comedy shows like The Mary Whitehouse Experience, Dead Ringers, and I’ve Never Seen Star Wars, died this weekend. The exact circumstances and age of his death remain unclear. However, the BBC has reported that he was 64 years old.

The producer cum comedy writer is best known for working on eight seasons of Spitting Image, which first went on air in 1984. Some of his other projects include Mr Charity, Twisted Tales, and You’re Breaking Up. Dare also served as the producer on The Now Show, which ran on Radio 4 from 1998 to 2024.

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Tributes from family come pouring in the wake of Bill Dare's demise: Read more

Read the statement from Bill Dare's representatives, JFL Agency, below:

"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. 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."

Jon Culshaw, an impressionist who worked with Dare on Dead Ringers, took to Instagram to pay his respects:

“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."

Richard Morris, BBC Studios Audio’s creative director of comedy and entertainment, also issued a tribute, as reported by NME:

“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”.

As for Julia McKenzie, the comedy commissioner for Radio 4, she expressed, "I am so terribly sorry to hear this tragic news, and my thoughts are with Bill’s wife, family, and friends.'

"Bill has been a huge part of Radio 4 comedy for decades, as a writer and producer, and listeners will have heard his legendary name at the end of many of their favourite shows," she continued. "Bill was a comedy obsessive, and very instinctive about making the funniest choices when it came to writing, directing and editing. He cared so much about his work that in the production booth during Dead Ringers you’d see him crouched over the script, utterly focused on the show. He was funny and very dry in person, amusingly cynical when he needed to be and always pushed to keep the comedy he made, and particularly satire, spiky."

She reflected on their 18 years together as colleagues and expressed disbelief that "he has gone." She added that "he will leave a big hole in the comedy world and in our hearts."

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Bill Dare also published three books: Natural Selection, Brian Gulliver’s Travels, and The Billion Pound Lie, the latter of which was released last year. He leaves behind his wife, Lucy, and his daughter, Rebecca.