Beloved comedian Paul Sneddon dead as tributes paid to 'treasured' star
Beloved comedian Paul Sneddon has died, it has been revealed. The performer, better known as Vladimir McTavish, was aged 70 and a much treasured and loved part of the Scottish comedy circuit. The Stand Comedy Club in Glasgow announced his death, describing him as a mainstay of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe over his 30-year career and noting he appeared on several BBC radio and television programmes.
The Stand said: "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."
Tributes have poured in from the comedy community. Comedian Frankie Boyle 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."
Fellow comedian Marcus Ryan wrote: "Devastating news My first encounter with Vladimir McTavish Paul was in 2005 at the Ed Fringe and a wonderful local to know when residing in Edinburgh The Stand Comedy Club has always been like a family and welcomes you in Paul has been a fixture of that family since day one I ve been lucky to have known him for 20 years sharing the stage both in Scotland and Australia The loveliest man so many great chats and laughs Big love to Christine the girls and all the extended Stand family and fellow comedy pals also just finding out Tears are flowing RIP Paul."
Laugh it off at The Railway added: "Devastated to hear the news today that Paul Sneddon AKA Vladimir McTavish Bob Doolally has very sadly passed away Paul was a great comedian a great guy and a keen supporter of Laugh It Off He's given me nothing but positive encouragement as a fledgling stand up I was speaking to him only a couple of days ago about gigs at the fringe He ll be greatly missed."
Sneddon was due to perform his show "2026 And The S Hits the Fan for Vladimir McTavish" at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August. He had previously revealed he had been undergoing chemotherapy treatment at the start of the year.