The Stand Comedy Club will pay a series of tributes to legendary Scottish comedian Paul Sneddon during this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Sneddon – best known to comedy fans by his alter egos Vladimir McTavish and Bob Doolally – drew tributes from the world of comedy after his death at the age of 70 was announced last week.
The Edinburgh-based comic, who helped found The Stand and had recently became joint chair of its board, had been preparing for his own run at next month’s Fringe.
The Stand, who had announced Sneddon’s passing, said he will be honoured in a series of “special events”.
In a new statement, they said: “The Stand are truly heartbroken at the sudden loss of our amazing friend Paul Sneddon – known to most as Vlad McTavish & Bob Doolally.
“Not only was he a brilliant comedian with 30 Fringes under his belt, he helped start the club and went on to become the co-chair of our board.
“He was a furiously kind man who was a genuine force of good on the comedy circuit both in the UK and abroad.
“There has been an overwhelming outpouring of grief and appreciation since the sad news broke and we want to thank everyone who has been in touch, sent flowers and kind messages. They have meant so much to us.
“We will be honouring his memory in due course with special events at The Fringe this year.
“As Bob Doolally might say – Paul Sneddon – sadly dead now…”
The Stand paid tribute to the comedian as “a much treasured and loved part of the comedy scene”, known as much “for his kindness, encouragement and generosity as he was for his immense talent”.
Leading Scots comedians have also paid tribute, with Frankie Boyle, who previously supported Sneddon in gigs, describing him as “a great guy and such an inclusive person”, and Susan Calman hailing him an “icon and legend, the nicest of people”.
Tom Stade described Sneddon as “a great comic, a fabulous friend and one of the OGs of Scottish comedy”.
Sneddon’s life will also be celebrated with a funeral service later this month, followed by a gathering at The Stand Comedy Club in Edinburgh.
