Comedian Paul Sneddon, who performed under the alter-egos Vladimir McTavish and Bob Doolally, has died at the age of 70.

The Edinburgh-based stand-up was a director of the Stand Comedy Clubs, who broke the news on social media,

Their statement said: ‘It’s with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of Paul Sneddon known to so many as Vladimir McTavish and Bob Doolally.

'Paul has been a vital part of The Stand since we began and much treasured and loved part of the comedy scene for many years. He was as known for his kindness, encouragement and generosity as he was for his immense talent.

‘He made every green room brighter, every line-up funnier and the world a nicer place to live in. We are broken at the loss of our dear friend and will in time be marking his life appropriately. For the time being, all our thoughts are with his family: Christine and his girls Julia and Rosie, as well as his many, many friends and fans during this time.’

Among the comedians paying tribute were Frankie Boyle, who said: ‘Just a great guy, and such an inclusive person. Made everyone feel welcome, and made me feel I was good enough to do tour supports for him when I wasn’t! I used to love, over the years, getting to say "Please Welcome Vladimir McTavish" or "Please Welcome Bob Doolally". A great comic, a privilege to have known him, love to his family.’

Tom Stade wrote: ‘So fucking shitty Paul was not only a great comic, a fabulous friend and he was also one of the OG’s of Scottish comedy one of the giant shoulders we stand upon and such a great hang… I will really miss you Paul…goodbye you fabulous human, you were absolutely spectacular.’ 

And Julia Sutherland added: ‘Such sad news. You would ALWAYS have a great time in Paul’s company - if his name was on the line-up, you knew you’d have a good night - even if the gig was mental! A pure-hearted, supportive, fun & very, VERY funny man… he will be missed so much.’

Susan Calman called him ‘an icon and legend. The nicest of people and a wonder on stage’; Robin Ince said he was ‘utterly joyful company’ and Billy Kirkwood posted that ‘he was one of those genuinely rare people who made everyone around him feel welcome, with the biggest heart’. 

Sneddon was performing to the end and had planned a run at next month's Edinburgh Fringe. The blurb for the show, 2026 and the Shit Hits the Fan for Vladimir McTavish, read: ‘A camera stuck up his nose led to three months of chemotherapy. But there’s more to the story. Relax, this is not another f*cking show about cancer.’

Sneddon won the lifetime achievement award at the 2019 Scottish Comedy Awards, and has played the Adelaide Fringe and Fringe World in Perth. His TV appearances include Frankie Boyle’s Tramadol Nights, Gary Tank Commander and Live Floor Show.

McTavish was a traditional observational and satirical stand-up while Doolally, below, was a character act, a retired football manager turned alcoholic pundit.