Legendary comedian and singer Geraldine Doyle has died at 76 after a long battle with cancer.
The comedian, who first gained stardom as a singer in Ireland before moving to Australia, passed away on May 29.
Doyle, who became a regular on Australian television screens throughout the 1970s and 1980s, was first diagnosed with cancer in 2009.
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The disease returned seven years ago, and Doyle chose to end her suffering with the assistance of Voluntary Assisted Dying.
Born in 1948 in Dublin, Doyle emigrated to Australia with her husband and son in the early 1970s.
She carved out a successful career as a stand-up comic and appeared frequently on TV shows such as Midday with Ray Martin and The Kerri-Anne Kennerley Show.
She won numerous Australian Entertainment MO awards, including Best Stand-Up Comic in Australia, Best Female Comic and Best Versatile Performer.
In 1990 she published a memoir called You Wouldn’t Read About It, full of anecdotes about her career touring Australia, the US and Canada, and on board luxury cruise ships.
“She was irrepressible, very funny and fiercely protective of a woman’s right to her place as an equal in what was a very competitive, male-dominated entertainment industry and in the wider world,” a statement released on Monday read.
“An American theatre critic once opened a review of Geraldine’s performance with: ‘Geraldine Doyle is a dangerous woman. When she turns on her comedy, nothing – absolutely nothing – is safe.’
“Her comedy sprang from her acute observations of the world around her and nobody was safe, not even her beloved husband Paddy Fitzpatrick, who managed her career for almost 50 years.
“A staunch advocate of Dying With Dignity, she fought a long battle with cancer that had returned seven years ago after her initial diagnosis back in 2009.
“With the help of Voluntary Assisted Dying, Geraldine Doyle passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday May 29.”
Tributes have begun to pour in for the beloved entertainer.
“Loved seeing Geraldine on the TV,” one fan wrote on the Golden Years of Australian Variety Facebook page.
“Thanks for the many smiles she put on my dial.”
“Such a talent, a wonderful woman who gave so many laughs to so many,” added another.
“RIP.”
“I saw her in a club show once and she was the funniest person I’d ever heard,” wrote a third.
“I still smile at the memory.
“Rest, dear lady, you deserve it.”