Scottish comedian Paul Sneddon, better known by his stage name Vladimir McTavish, has died at the age of 70. The Stand Comedy Club in Glasgow confirmed his passing on July 1, 2026, describing him as "a much treasured and loved" member of the Scottish comedy circuit.
A Career Spanning Three Decades
Sneddon had been undergoing chemotherapy earlier this year. Over his 30-year career, he was a veteran of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and made numerous appearances on BBC radio and television.
In a statement, The Stand said: "He was as known for his kindness, encouragement and generosity as he was for his immense talent. He made every green room brighter, every line-up funnier and the world a nicer place to live in."
Tributes from Fellow Comedians
Comedian Frankie Boyle paid tribute, saying: "Just a great guy, and such an inclusive person. Made everyone feel welcome, and made me feel I was good enough to do tour supports for him when I wasn't. A great comic, a privilege to have known him, love to his family."
Ross Noble recalled Sneddon's support early in his career: "Shocked and saddened to hear we have lost Paul Sneddon. We did so many shows together in the early days. He was on the bill at my second ever stand up gig. Always funny but also supportive and generous."
Impact on the Comedy Community
Marcus Ryan wrote: "Devastating news. My first encounter with Vladimir McTavish was in 2005 at the Ed Fringe. Paul has been a fixture of that family since day one. The loveliest man, so many great chats and laughs."
Laugh it off at The Railway added: "Paul was a great comedian, a great guy and a keen supporter of Laugh It Off. He's given me nothing but positive encouragement as a fledgling stand up. I was speaking to him only a few days ago about gigs at the fringe."
Upcoming Show Cancelled
Sneddon had been scheduled to perform his 2026 show "And The S*** Hits the Fan for Vladimir McTavish" at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe next month. The show was to explore the three months of chemotherapy he underwent earlier this year.
The Stand concluded: "We are broken at the loss of our dear friend and will in time be marking his life appropriately. For the time being, all our thoughts are with his family: Christine and his girls Julia and Rosie, as well as his many friends and fans during this time."
