Comedian Tony Knight dies at 54 after ‘strange accident’

Published: 2:17 p.m. PDT, July 5, 2024

Tony Knight, a comedian from Great Britain, has died. He was 54 years old.

After his GoFundMeThe comedian died on June 7 following a “horrific accident” while attending the Rock & Cars Festival in Lavaur, France. GoFundMe campaign founder Jo – the sister of Knight’s partner of over 15 years, Hayley – did not reveal the cause of death, saying only that they are all “beyond devastated that his life has been cut short by a freak accident.”

According to multiple reports, two branches fell from a large tree on the festival grounds, and one of those branches struck and killed Knight. Four others were also injured. Festival organizers said they were stunned by the tragedy, especially since there was no wind or storm that would have caused branches to fall from the tree.

“I assure his family of our deepest sympathy and our loving thoughts in this unbearable ordeal,” said Laveur Mayor Bernard Carayon about the Birmingham Mail“I wish the injured a speedy recovery from the traumatic shock they have suffered. Never before has such a dramatic event occurred in our city.”

Knight will be remembered as “charismatic, funny and passionate” and a great dog lover.

“His passion was dogs and he helped people all over the world with his courses, both in person, online, on radio and TV, e-books and more,” Jo wrote on Knight’s GoFundMe page. “He was hugely respected and admired. His method worked and he loved helping people with their dogs. He also loved comedy and had performed his show ‘Mad Dogs and an Englishman’ in all sorts of places both in Australia and overseas. He was about to do a series of shows across the UK and offer his esteemed dog courses across Europe. He had been living on our family farm near Beaufort for the last four years, building a life there with Hayley and proving himself to be quite a skilled man. He just set his mind to something and did it! He was very happy.”

Knight was such a dog lover that he was known as the “dog listener.” according to his websiteHe has “helped thousands of dog owners around the world solve canine behavior problems using simple techniques that do not involve force, pain, dominance, drugs, or devices. He has also trained other people from over 30 countries to become ‘dog listeners.'” Knight has been featured on television and radio shows around the world for his “dog listener” skills.

The comedian leaves behind his long-time partner Hayley.

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