It is with a heavy heart that I learned yesterday of the passing of Minder writer Andrew Payne. My thanks to listener Lee Priest for informing me.
The wonderful Andrew Payne passed away on January 12th this year. He was 74. As you might know if you’ve heard earlier episodes, I was fortunate enough to have an extended interview with Andrew in 2022. This came in two parts and was a real coup as he was such a great writer for the show.
Many other writers have passed away – several long before Andrew, but he was still going strong. I commented at the time how amazing he looked for his age and he also told of looking after elderly parents so the Payne family had very good genes. Therefore I was very surprised to hear of his passing.
It was very upsetting to me also because at the time I spoke with Andrew I was living in Cyprus. I actually wrote to Andrew a few times after the interviews and he had agreed to meet with me once back in the UK. I would have met him when I ventured down to London and suggested I take him to a Turkish Cypriot restaurant in honour of Minder and his work.
So it just goes to show you, live your life like there is no tomorrow. Andrew was such a great writer and a very decent bloke who I am very proud to have interviewed for this show. He also recently contributed to our Leon Griffiths tribute for which I was very thankful.
At the time of writing I do not know the cause of his death but my deepest sympathies to his family.
The Minder Podcast and the interview with Andrew was quoted in his obituary in The Guardian. I think he would have approved.
A tribute episode will come later this year but for now if you would like to revisit Andrew’s appearances on the show here is Part One and Part Two.