Jewish comedy writer and presenter Denis Norden dies aged 96

Mr Norden's children, Nick and Maggie said they wished to thank “all the dedicated staff and doctors who had looked after him - with much devotion.” 

The statement stated: "He will be in our hearts forever."

Many paid tribute to him on social media including TV presenter Piers Morgan, who called Mr Norden “wonderfully amusing”.

Comedian David Baddiel tweeted his favourite clip “in honour of Denis Norden,” describing it as “possibly my favourite clip from any TV show tbh.”

In honour of Denis Norden, my favourite clip from It'll Be Alright On The Night. It's possibly my favourite clip from any TV show, tbh.https://t.co/jibx2l5gGI

— David Baddiel (@Baddiel) September 19, 2018

On his success in comedy, Norden once said: “The best over-generalisation is that in a majority of so-called jokes the laughter is generated by an unexpected withholding of sympathy.

You’d be surprised how many jokes can be covered by this – most sex jokes, most relationship jokes, most jokes about authority – doctors, teachers, policemen. It happens when your sense of humanity demands that there should be sympathy – and sympathy is unexpectedly withdrawn.”

His many awards include Variety Club of Great Britain award for best personality (1978), male TV personality of the year (1980) and Writers Guild of Great Britain lifetime achievement award (1999). In 1980, Denis Norden was appointed CBE.