Humourist was 83

Eccentric poet and musician Ivor Cutler has died at the age of 83.

He had been suffering heart problems for a while and died in London on Friday after having a stroke.

The Glasgow-born humorist wrote poems and songs while still working as a schoolteacher, but he was 34 before he started performing them himself.

He was quickly spotted by a BBC executive who asked him to write poems and stories for the Home Service, starting a long association with radio.

He also wrote books and created illustrations, and in 1967 he appeared in The Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour film. But he also  continued to teach until 1980

He eased off performing in later years, but did continue to perform the occasional gig, his last was at London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall in 2004 and recorded for TV.

He preferred a quiet life at his home in Parliament Hill Fields, London, and was a member of the Noise Abatement Society.

He once said: ‘When I do die I shall be glad to get away from loud pop music and motor cars, but I shall miss - insofar as when one is dead one can miss anything - the beautiful kindnesses of those people to whom courtesy comes naturally.’

Published: 7 Mar 2006