Jim Bowen, the comedian and former presenter of darts-themed quiz show Bullseye, has died aged 80, his agent had said.
Lancashire-born Bowne was best known for the game show, which aired for 15 years on British TV and was watched by over 12 million viewers.
The darts-themed show aired in the 1980s and 1990s and obtained cult status among university students. Bowen was known for the "super, smashing, great" and "now look what you could have won..." catchphrases in the show.
RIP Jim- thanks for the laughs! #bullseye #jimbowen pic.twitter.com/jxmbQEChTX
— Steve Mullington (@mulldog) March 14, 2018
The former comedian was previously a deputy headmaster. He enjoyed cameo roles in dramas such as Last Of The Summer Wine as well as roles in Jonathan Creek and in Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights.
In 2011, Bowen, also known as Alf in the Tetley Bitter adverts, said he had learned to "appreciate all the things in life" after suffering two strokes.
His agent Patsy Martin told the Press Association: "I will very sadly miss Jim. He was a very lovely genuine man."
Comedian Jim Davidson has been among those paying tribute to Bowen.
RIP Jim Bowen. Great guy
— Jim Davidson (@JimDOfficial) March 14, 2018
Jim Bowen RIP great comic we worked together many times had a lot of laughs together. Jim & Ken Dodd sad time for the entertainment industry pic.twitter.com/1tW1XRZvxn
— Frank Bruno MBE (@frankbrunoboxer) March 14, 2018
