Tim Brooke-Taylor [Ed g2s]

THE family of one of the stars of I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue is backing campaign to see Barry Cryer and Tim Brooke-Taylor honoured at Mornington Crescent station.

The New Journal came up with the idea of a plaque for Mr Cryer after his death in January – and fans of the show also want Mr Brooke-Taylor, a stalwart panellist for nearly 50 years, to be included too.

If they become a reality, the plaques would go alongside an existing one dedicated to their colleague, the satirist Willie Rushton.

The location is significant as it forms part of a game on the show in which the panellists start off at one tube station on the underground map, and, through a system of incomprehensible and ever-changing rules, eventually reach Mornington Crescent via other London locations.

Since its inception in 1978, its persistent and emphatic absurdity has made it a firm favourite among fans.

Barry Cryer

This week Mr Brooke-Taylor’s two sons, Ed and Ben, and his widow Christine endorsed the idea of a lasting tribute at the station.

“We were so sorry to hear about Barry. Dad never laughed as much as when they were together,” they said. “We love the idea of blue plaques for them both at Mornington Crescent. Having lived in the area for years, Dad loved celebrating local places in his work whenever he got the chance.

“With Humph [Humphrey Lyttelton] and Willie already in situ, this is a great way of getting the original Clue team back together again.”

The family added: “The aim of the game was always to get to Mornington Crescent. This idea makes that possible. Dad would
have loved it.”

A pub named after Mr Lyttelton is located opposite he station.

Mr Cryer’s son Bob told the New Journal that he and his family thought a plaque there would be a “wonderful way” to remember them.

Meanwhile, Jon Naismith, who has produced the show since 1991, said it would be a “worthy tribute to two outstanding comedians”.

He is currently on tour with the show and said the host Jack Dee, long-time pianist Colin Sell and panellists Rory Bremner, Tony Hawks, Pippa Evans, Miles Jupp, and Marcus Brigstocke were all fully supportive.

SEE ALSO COME ON TFL! EVERYBODY THINKS OUR IDEA OF A PLAQUE FOR BARRY CRYER IS GREAT

Mr Naismith said: “I’m entirely behind your campaign to have plaques in commemor­ation of Barry Cryer and Tim Brooke-Taylor erected next to Willie’s at Mornington Crescent tube.

“I think – apart from being a worthy tribute to two outstanding comedians – it would help contextualise Willie’s plaque and generally add to the character for the station.

“I don’t imagine it would cost much at all and would I’m sure be great PR for the station and TfL.”

The New Journal has been told that a plaque usually costs £500 to £600, with the British Comedy Society already saying it is happy to pay for it.

All that is needed now is for Transport for London to give the tributes a green light.

However, the despite the widespread support for the idea, the transport authority has been lukewarm and said it limits plaques to “events that celebrate London Underground heritage or mark significant events”.

The plaque to Mr Rushton has been in place for two decades.

Instead, TfL have said they only support a poster but are considering “celebrating their impact in the future”.

Anne Clarke, Camden’s representative on the Greater London Assembly, said: “Through the hilarious Mornington Crescent game, [Mr] Cryer, [Mr] Brooke-Taylor and many other legendary comedians raised awareness, not just of the Underground but also of the local area.”

She added: “I think this is something that could definitely be celebrated at the station and I would support recognising their memory alongside that of their friend and fellow comedian Willie Rushton, who already has a plaque in the entrance.”