Scotland the What? star George Donald has died at the age of 79.
The Huntly-born musician delighted audiences across the country as a member of the comedy trio.
Along with the late Steve Robertson, and Buff Hardie, he helped put Doric on the map in a stage and TV career spanning more than a quarter of a century.
Described as the “musical heart” of the group, Mr Donald played the piano and produced songs celebrating the humour of everyday life in the north-east.
Last night Mr Hardie paid tribute to his close friend of more than 50 years following his death at his home in Perth..
“Although George had been ill for some time and his death was not unexpected, there is an awful finality,” he said.
“It is a sad day. We were three close friends all the way through.
“That was the great thing about Scotland the What? We loved doing it and we enjoyed each other’s company. It is the loss of a great friend for me.”
Mr Hardie said Mr Donald had been an “exceptionally talented” musician. “The thing that amazed me was his skill in accompanying himself on the piano as he sang the often complicated lyrics,” he said.
“This is something that should normally take two people but he was exceptionally talented.
“He was not only a great musician but he just made it look effortless. With the whole show there was a chemistry that made it work.”
The comedy group were awarded MBEs in 1995, the year of their final show, and received the freedom of the city in 2008.
Yesterday Graeme Roberts, board chairman of Aberdeen Performing Arts (APA), which runs His Majesty’s Theatre, expressed the company’s deep sadness at the death of a talented performer who was the inimitable musical heart of Scotland the What?
He said: “The much-loved comedy trio have been uniquely entwined in the heart-strings of His Majesty’s Theatre, since the days when they – together with producer Jimmy Logan – wrote, composed, produced and directed the 1968 student show, giving them the idea of putting on a show of their own.
“George’s music and lyrics will live on forever as part of a north-east legend. Our thoughts are very much with George’s family at this very sad time.”
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