Roy Jay, a comedian who appeared on BBC shows such as The Bob Monkhouse Show and The Little and Large Show in the 1980s, died penniless in Alicante, Spain, in December 2007 at the age of 59. His body lay unclaimed for two weeks before a local entrepreneur, a close friend, funded his funeral at Villajoyosa Crematorium.
Jay's career declined after he was charged with indecent exposure in 1984 for pulling down his trousers during a live performance at the Park Club in Jersey. He was fined £200, but the incident effectively ended his television career, though he continued stand-up work in later years, notably in Benidorm.
His death was reportedly due to alcohol abuse. Fans remembered him fondly, with one commenting: 'Terrible news about Roy. I never did see him but will remember with fondness his TV work back in the day. RIP Mr Slither.' Another said: 'A very talented but tormented guy who is all but forgotten today.'
Details of Jay's early life are conflicting. One account says he was born Roy Jørgensen in Oslo, Norway, to a Norwegian father and Scottish/Irish mother, moving to South Wales at age four, then to Ireland, and later to Atherton, Greater Manchester. He joined the Royal Norwegian Navy at 15 before working at Pontins holiday camp in Southport. Another account claims he was born in Uffculme, Devon, and worked at Pontins in Morecambe.
