Neil Reading, a prominent UK entertainment publicist whose clients included John Cleese, Lenny Henry and Dawn French, has died aged 56 following a short illness. His death matters to Britain’s entertainment industry because he was a long-established adviser and protector to leading comedians and performers, with professional relationships that often became close friendships.

Reading founded Neil Reading PR in 1992 and worked across entertainment and lifestyle publicity. Other clients included Jason Manford, the late Victoria Wood and French, who described him as a trusted friend and “fierce protector”; Manford similarly called him a loyal confidant of nearly 20 years. He is survived by his wife, Claire, and daughter, Rosa.