Legendary comedian Geraldine Doyle dies at age 76 following cancer battle

IRISH-BORN comedian and singer Geraldine Doyle has sadly died at the age of 76 in her home following a long cancer battle.

She had initially been diagnosed in 2009 but the illness made it’s return again seven years ago.

Passing away on May 29, Geraldine chose to end her own suffering with the assistance of Voluntary Assisted Dying after being an advocate for Dying With Dignity.

Geraldine was born in 1948 in Dublin to a large Catholic family and grew up alongside her brother, Irish folk singer Danny Doyle.

She then gained fame of her own as a singer before emigrating to Australia with her husband and son in the 1970s.

“She was irrepressible, very funny and fiercely protective of a woman’s right to her place as an equal in what was a very competitive, male-dominated entertainment industry and in the wider world,” a statement released on Monday read.

“An American theatre critic once opened a review of Geraldine’s performance with: ‘Geraldine Doyle is a dangerous woman. When she turns on her comedy, nothing – absolutely nothing – is safe.’

“Her comedy sprang from her acute observations of the world around her and nobody was safe, not even her beloved husband Paddy Fitzpatrick, who managed her career for almost 50 years.

“A staunch advocate of Dying With Dignity, she fought a long battle with cancer that had returned seven years ago after her initial diagnosis back in 2009.

“With the help of Voluntary Assisted Dying, Geraldine Doyle passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday May 29.”

It wasn’t long before she established herself as a comedian and became a much loved fixture on TV, with appearances on The Mike Walsh Show, Midday with Ray Martin, and the Kerri-Anne Kennerley Show. 

This led her to earn seven Australian Entertainment Mo Awards, including Best Stand-up Comic in Australia in the first year both male and female comics battled it out for the title.

Geraldine also won awards for Best Female Comic and Best Versatile Performer and made history as the first female to host The Annual Premier’s Concert at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. 

In 1987, she starred in an ABC special titled Funny Job For A Woman and three years later, in 1990, she published a memoir titled You Wouldn’t Read About It!

The performer was married to Paddy Fitzpatrick, her manager, for almost 50 years.

Tributes have poured in for the late star, with one fan writing: Loved seeing Geraldine on the TV.

“Thanks for the many smiles she put on my dial.”

Another added: “Such a talent, a wonderful woman who gave so many laughs to so many RIP.”

A third wrote: “I saw her in a club show once and she was the funniest person I’d ever heard.

“I still smile at the memory. Rest, dear lady, you deserve it.”