Paul Ritter has died

[Cocolapew]

He was only 54, I loved him in Friday Night Dinner.

Aw I'm so sad about this. The family in FND feels oddly like a second little family that we watch sometimes to cheer us up

By Tamsin Greig today (the mum in FND)

www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/apr/07/tamsin-greig-without-paul-ritter-the-world-is-a-less-brilliant-place?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

@bonfireheart that's a beautiful tribute from Tamsin Grieg.

Also great reminder that the adaptation they did for Radio 4 is on the BBC Sounds www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000tcnr

That made me cry.

@HebeMumsnet

FND had just started when I was heavily pregnant with my first baby. I laughed so hard at the Mercedes episode I broke my waters. They were probably on their way out anyway, as was the day before my due date, but I like to blame FND and Paul Ritter was the best character in it. So sad he's gone. We need a 'lovely bit of squirrel' or a 'bare chest' emoji.

Could we have a 'shit on it's emoji as a tribute?

Extra 's' in there.

What a beautiful tribute from Tamsin Greig.

I’ve listened to the first 3 Meet Me at the Museum episodes. Learning that he was so ill when they were recorded makes them even more poignant.

Yes it does, will have to listen to it now.

Not because he was ill making it of course but because he (and Tasmin) are talented performers

@GreenSlide

Aw I'm so sad about this. The family in FND feels oddly like a second little family that we watch sometimes to cheer us up

I totally understand what you mean about the second little family. I also felt the same way about the Royle Family. I wonder if actors ever truly realise the positive impact their characters can have on viewers going through dark times.

That's lovely from Tamsin Greig. Paul Ritter seemed like such a lovely man, I've read such lovely things about him.

🐿️ Rest in peace Paul

@JustJustWhy YY to the Royle Family too. It's so comforting that this family has been part of my life since I was a teenager. Watching Death in Paradise is lovely with Ralf Little in it.

so skillfully does Paul inhabit the character
This comment by Tamsin brought me back to the thread. With some actors - even some very well-known 'greats' - they are always themselves. With Paul, you didn't always realise it was him or at least immediately, so skillful was he.

Not forgetting, 'I dreamt I was in a bath of milk with Lady Di.'

So sorry to hear he had been so unwell. May he Rest In Peace. Loved him in Friday night dinner. Sadly missed.

My dd put FND on afternoon while I was out the room this afternoon , I wasn't looking forward to seeing Martin but it was fine actually.

I'm not sure I can pick out a Martin scene from FND as my favorite. I think of one and think it might be it, then remember another.

I was sniggering to myself yesterday just recalling the episode where Martin had done an online shop and ordered 100 of everything. Jackie's exasperation with it all.

We’ve been watching them again this week. My favour is episode is where Jim gets his own ‘Jackie’ who turns out to be a mad anti-Semite and Jackie sees red.

I really didn’t like the final episode - a bit cheesy but maybe it was the joyful end it needed?

How lovely at how many people bond with their teens over FND
Yes, absolutely, except thanks to FND one of mine now insists on calling casserole asserole. When he first said it as I dished up, I think my words were 'you can't say that, it's in your late granny's Le Creuset!'

My favour is episode is where Jim gets his own ‘Jackie’ who turns out to be a mad anti-Semite and Jackie sees red.

Oh that's a great episode.
Even Jim. who's a little bit weird by all accounts lol (social boundaries, anyone?! ) turfs her out along with the rest of them when she reveals she doesn't like Jews (her words) and calls her a Nazi

'Don't waste gin. It's your mother's for when she's depressed, remember.'

Best parenting advice ever from Dad.