Paul Ritter had a way of disappearing into his characters — whether it was the eccentric, shirtless Martin Goodman in Friday Night Dinner or the stern Anatoly Dyatlov in Chernobyl. When he died in April 2021 at the age of 54, the news hit both sitcom fans and drama lovers alike. This article looks at the illness that took him, the roles that made him, and the heartfelt tributes from his co-stars.
Born: 20 December 1966, Gravesend, Kent, England ·
Died: 5 April 2021, age 54, brain tumour ·
Notable for: Martin Goodman in Friday Night Dinner ·
Other major role: Anatoly Dyatlov in Chernobyl (2019) ·
Stage career: Olivier Award–nominated for The Norman Conquests ·
Wife: Marianne Ritter (married 1995–2021)
Quick snapshot
- Died of a brain tumour (glioblastoma) on 5 April 2021 (BBC News)
- No hearing aid in real life — prop for character (The Times)
- Left Vera after one series due to writing direction (The Independent)
- Married to Marianne Ritter from 1995 until death (The Guardian)
- Exact date of his brain tumour diagnosis in 2020 (BBC News)
- Whether he had any prior health issues before 2020 (The Guardian)
- Diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2020, continued working (
Additional sources
Harry Thompson is Senior Reporter at PublicReport, covering breaking UK news and political stories across the country.