As I stood interviewing Stephen Mulhern at last year’s Marlowe Theatre pantomime launch, the TV presenter began to cough and splutter mid sentence.
“I know you can’t see him but I’m laughing because Dave is at the side copying what I’m doing” he apologised to the camera, as Dave Lee mimicked his hand gestures.
That was the Dave Lee many reporters and panto fans alike will remember, after the sad news the comedian died on Monday after a short illness, aged 64.
A joker to the last, his death seems all the more cruel because he was unable to appear in the first pantomime at the new Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury, forced to pull out following his diagnosis with pancreatic cancer late last year.
I remember on the launch day back in July how his comical voice continued to distract Stephen throughout the interview from out of shot, prompting giggles from the Britain’s Got More Talent star and myself as we in turns tried to promote the show and ask questions about it.
In any other situation, a journalist might be forgiven for putting down his mic and politely inviting the offender to Foxtrot Oscar for the intrusion. But you couldn’t do that to Dave Lee. You cannot do that to a legend.
“I think it’s my 16th year and I only popped out for a can of peas” he said with his trademark ear to ear grin as we spoke that day.
The comic, who lived in Herne, was a picture of enthusiasm as he talked about how the Marlowe had assembled “the strongest panto cast in the country” and how they would be “a small family for Christmas.”
I am not going to make out I was big mates with Dave. We met a few times for interviews over the years and I always found him likeable and fun. A stalwart of the city’s pantomime for 16 festive seasons, children grew up watching him on stage. There was a deluge of emotion as news of his passing spread on Twitter last night. It is easy to see why the show’s producer Paul Hendy described him today as “Kent’s best mate.”
As well as being likeable and a pro (he never missed a show over 16 years), Dave was also a charitable man, raising more than £2 million since 1994 for sick and disabled children through his Happy Holidays charity. His efforts earned him an MBE in 2003.
I remember asking him what he thought about the new Marlowe Theatre and his response was littered with his typical court jester banter. It feels all the more touching now.
“I haven’t been inside” he said. “Health and safety have said they are concerned a girder is going to fall on me and bend the girder.
“I’ve spoken to the architect and asked if he would build a self-contained flat for me above the water tank in the roof but he couldn’t do that so I will have to make do with my dressing room.
“It’s going home. It really is. The Marlowe Theatre is my favourite theatre in the whole country and it is just 10 minutes from where I live which is brilliant.”
Yet as I listen back to that interview from last summer, one moment hits home more than ever. Midway through my chat with Dave, Stephen Mulhern mischievously decided to return the interrupting favour.
“He is Dave Lee and he is the best in the business” said Stephen as he wrapped his arm around the comedian. Dave just smiled at the camera and said “that’s my son Stephen Merchant. He has always been the son I never wanted.”
The man was supposed to be promoting the pantomime but made the effort to show his affection for his cast mate on tape.
That was Dave. And we will all miss him.
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