Allen was born David Tynan O'Mahoney on the outskirts of Dublin. After school in the Irish capital he went into journalism, like many of his relatives, starting on the Irish Independent.

At the age of 20, he came to London to try to find work on Fleet Street, but couldn’t – so entered Butlins in Skegness as a redcoat instead. It was there he changed his name to Allen to ensure top billing on the alphabetical list.

He got his first break on a BBC talent show in 1959, and in 1961 he toured his stand-up routine around England and France with a then unknown band called The Beatles.

His fame first grew in Australia, in 1963, where he hosted a live TV chat show. Back in Britain, it was  guest spots on the Val Doonican Show that made his name.

It led to various series of his own, on both the BBC and ITV, running from 1967 to 1994 and mixing his sit-down stand-up with sketches.  The strong language he used often caused controversy, and a four-letter word he uttered on TV in January 1990 was raised in the House of Commons.

Smoking was a trademark part of his routine, but Allen quit his 60-a-day habit in the Eighties, explaining: "I was fed up with paying people to kill me."

He was also famous for missing the tip of one of his fingers, and he invented various tall tales as to how it happened. And when he was asked, “Are you the Irish comedian with half a finger?" he replied, “No, I'm the Irish comedian with nine and a half fingers.”

Allen retired from performing in 1999, ending his broadcast career with a rare interview for BBC Radio 4, but still received offers and was reportedly considering a project at the time of his death.

CV

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I wrote to Dave Allen having seen him perform in a London theatre, explaining that my mother was a great fan. She had booked to see him perform in London later that year. I received a letter inviting my Mum and sister to visit him backstage after the show, which they did to their great delight. I was also priveleged to meet him, and find him to be charming and unprententious. I loved his humour, his good looks and his personality. I was so sorry to hear of his untimely death. May he rest in peace and his God go with him. Helen Reed 16.03.05

Helen Reed, March 2005

A truly funny comic who will be sorely missed. I wonder if St.Peter lets him in after all the sketches. Aadm 16.03.05

Aadm, March 2005

Once seen, never forgotton - superb legend of comedy. Little Smash 13.03.05

Little Smash, March 2005

Quite the funniest man I have ever seen on stage or on TV. Went to see him at Sheffield City Hall in 1989. He was on for threehours solid and I did not stop laughing all the time he was on. To call him a comedian in the strict sense would be wrong. His stories were observations of life that most of us think and smile about but scarcely say. His ability to hold and captivate an audience was brilliant as was his superb timing. Even at this time I think about yet another of his great sketches where the mourners are gathered round the coffin, and one of them remarked "he was a terrible man - always seemed to have the last word". Of course the coffin lid slid open and a voice bellowed "I didn't". Good Night Dave and may your God go with you David Cook 14.03.04

David Cook, March 2004

One of my first and all time comedy heros he'll be sadly missed. Pam 17.04.05

Pam

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