How newspapers keep recycling 'comedian dies penniless' stories

Have you heard the one about the BBC comedian who died penniless?

If you read certain newspapers’ websites you can’t have avoided the story.

The Mirror and The Express and the chain of local newspaper brands also owned by Reach can barely go a week without reporting on a BBC legend 'dying penniless'.

And it doesn’t matter when they died the company keeps churning out almost identical headlines.

Here’s some from the past few months....

Famed BBC star died penniless after becoming 'most famous comic'
Hylda Baker - died 1996 – in the Mirror, September 13, 2025

BBC comedy legend died penniless despite masterminding two beloved sitcoms
Jeremy Lloyd –  died 2014 – The Express, September 8, 2025

Iconic BBC comedian died penniless despite huge success as he risked pauper's funeral
Tony Slattery – died in January – The Express, September 6, 2025

BBC icon died penniless and ‘lost everything’ after son’s tragic murder suicide
Mike Reid – died 2007, 17 years after his son's death – in the Express September 2, 2025

BBC EastEnders icon 'died penniless with nothing in estate for wife' following brief illness
Nicholas Ball – died 2014 – Daily Record, September 2, 2025

BBC legend Freddie Starr died 'penniless' as kind stranger stepped in with offer
Freddie Starr – died 2019 –  Liverpool Echo, August 24, 2025

BBC comedian died penniless with body unclaimed for weeks after tragic death
Roy Jay – died 2006 – The Mirror, August 21, 2025

BBC star died penniless after epic downfall despite once owning Rolls-Royce
Franny Craddock – died 1987 – Edinburgh Live, August 17, 2025

Blue Peter star died penniless driving taxis after being axed from BBC show 
Christopher Trace - died 1992 – Birmingham Live, June 25, 2025

BBC star died penniless and wife had to sell engagement ring despite hit film
Warren Clarke - died 2014 – in the Express  June 24, 2025.
(His wife sold the ring sometime in the 1980s when he was a struggling actor)

BBC legend died penniless and wife had to sell engagement ring despite hit film
George Alagiah – died 2023 – The Mirror June 24, 2025. They didn't even bother to change the headline from the Warren Clarke story.  Alagiah actually left more than £50,000 there's no mention of an engagement ring in the story.

Beloved comedian died penniless and risked 'pauper's funeral' despite iconic career
Chris Sievey, aka Frank Sidebottom  - died 2010 - The Express, June 27, 2025 

Call the Midwife star tragically died penniless after wife pawned engagement ring
Warren Clarke, again - died 2014 – in the Express, again, April 16, 2025. 

Published: 22 Sep 2025