UK comedian Tony Knight, also known as the Dog Listener, has died after a freak accident at a festival in France. The 54-year-old Knight was struck and killed by a large falling tree branch in June at the Rock & Cars fest in Lavaur, a family member confirmed to Fox News Digital.
According to French outlet Le Tarn Libre, two branches fell off a large tree on the festival grounds, killing Knight and injuring four others.
“He was fit, healthy, happy and had everything going for him,” wrote Joanne Allen, sister of Knight’s longtime partner Hayley Wright on Knight’s GoFundMe page. “He was charismatic, funny, passionate and so very loved by Hayley, his family and his friends all over the world.”
In addition to his work as a comedian, Knight turned his passion for dogs into a second career as a dog trainer. “He helped people all over the world with his classes both in person, online, on radio and television, ebooks, and more,” Allen wrote. “He was very well respected and admired. His method worked and he loved helping people with their dogs.”
Knight had performed his comedy show Mad Dogs and an Englishman at venues in Australia and overseas and was about to do a run of shows throughout the UK, Allen wrote.
“We are beyond devastated that his life was taken by a freak accident,” Allen added, “an accident that we are all still trying to comprehend.”
His partner Hayley penned a tribute to Knight a few days after his death on Instagram.
“He was an exceptionally talented man, with so many strings to his bow,” she wrote. “There really was nothing he couldn’t do. He was a fantastic friend to so many, an amazing dog Dad….but most of all he was my world & it will never be the same without him.”
“He would probably end this with a joke, but that was his talent & not mine….he really did see the bright side of every situation. I’m truly heartbroken & in shock,” she concluded.
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