The 80-year-old humorist also wrote sketches for comedians Ken Dodd and Frankie Howerd, and penned 20 novels.

But he'll best be remembered for the Perrin series in the 1970s, in which the late Leonard Rossiter portrayed a desperately unhappy husband and father dreaming of escaping his dull job.

Among those paying tribute to Nobbs are Monty Python star John Cleese, who took to Twitter.com on Sunday (09Aug15) and wrote, "Very sad today to hear of the death of David Nobbs. First worked with him on the Frost Report in 1966; then on many films for Video Arts... A lovely kind, gentle man with a delicious sense of humour. He wrote many top-class shows and books. His masterwork: the Reggie Perrin shows."

Cleese added, "I had not seen him for several years, but it is strange how much I miss him today. When I was a beginner, it thrilled me when I made him laugh."