Phorum.com.gr

A veteran comedian with a cult following died on stage with his audience still laughing as he lay still for five minutes before they realised something was wrong.

Ian Cognito, 60, had made a joke about having a stroke minutes earlier. Towards the end of his set, he sat down and lay back on the chair, bringing a chorus of laughter.

It was only after five minutes that the venue’s compere came on stage to find that the comedian was not breathing. He is believed to have suffered a heart attack.

Attempts were made to resuscitate him but he was pronounced dead at the venue in Bicester, Oxfordshire, prompting an outpouring of grief from fellow comedians.

They paid tribute to the angry and acerbic wit of “Cogs”, a popular performer who never became a household name due to his controversial style.