An iconic 80s comedian died without a penny to his name and with his body going unclaimed for weeks in a tragic twist of fate. Roy Jay was best known for his high-profile BBC appearances, popping up on TV programmes including The Bob Monkhouse Show, The Little and Large Show and The Main Attraction at the height of his fame.
But the British-Norwegian star had a tragic end to his life. Things started to go wrong after he was charged with indecent exposure in 1984, when he dropped his trousers live on-stage in front of a family audience at the Park Club in Jersey. He was fined £200 – but worse, his public image took a huge blow.
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Roy found himself banned from numerous clubs across the country even before the indecent exposure conviction. But it was the final nail in the coffin for his televised career.
Though he managed to carry on his stand-up career in his later years, his TV work dried up. Eventually the star died in Alicante, Spain, in December 2007 at the age of 59, without a penny to his name. His body went unclaimed for two weeks.
His death was said to be caused by alcohol abuse. His funeral, held at Villajojosa Crematorium, had to be funded by a local Spanish businessman who was also Roy’s close friend.
Roy is still remembered fondly for his TV work and his later career at a club in Benidorm. One fan said at the time of his death: “Terrible news about Roy. I never did see him but will remember with fondness his TV work back in the day. RIP Mr Slither.”
Someone else said: “I did see him in Benidorm in the late 1980s at the Talk of the Coast, which is now the Ambassador Playa. I remember the place was packed and everyone was having a great laugh.”
A third echoed: “A very talented but tormented guy who is all but forgotten today.”