at the age of 86. during a long career he worked with a number of star names and was known to millions for his role on radio 4 s i m sorry i haven t a clue. his close friend, gyles brandreth, paid tribute saying wherever barry went he brought laughter with him and the bbc s director general tim davie described him as an incredible comedian and writer. if you heard or saw a great sketch, there was always a good chance barry was behind it. sarah campbell looks back at his life. # i know a fat old policeman # he s always on our street # a fat and jolly red faced man.# radio 4 s i m sorry i haven t a clue, and barry cryer sings the words of the laughing policeman to the tune of as time goes by. # he never known to frown # and everybody says # he s the happiest man in town.# barry cryer seemed a happy fellow too, and a lucky one. i spent my time mainly with people i liked and admired, laughing about something. he d started young, playing shakespeare s falstaff at school in leeds.