I only met Russell once through a hospital radio interview in Derby, but I was transfixed by him. Laid back and honest with a talent that I admired. my sympathy goes out to all who are affected by his passing.

Mary Goodwin(Bickmore), Dorking,

I remember Russell from school as an affable, pleasant chap with an artistic bent and an air of bonhomie. He was a good bloke to us younger kids and I am greatly saddened to hear of his premature death.

Colin Smyth, Ormskirk, UK

Russell was the monitor at our lunch table at school. I hardly ever talked to him as he was several years older but memories of him are as closely associated with suet pudding as they are with the sticky moments. I don't live in the UK any more, but old school friends all mourned him when news of his sad demise was made know. MHSRIP.

Hannan, Lusaka, Zambia

Russell taught me and many others music at the University of Winchester. He was one of the greatest teachers I have ever had and will truly, truly be missed by everyone. A wonderful, talented and gracious man.

Deborah, Winchester,

I first saw Russell when he was accompanying Dillie Keane’s show and then later accompanying Fascinating Aida. I was very impressed. I wondered idly if I'd ever get a chance to work with him. And then an occasion arose and I was delighted when Russell agreed to play in a revue featuring my songs. Needless to say, he added a great deal to the show and he was great fun to work with. I was really taken aback when he told me he had cancer. I wish there’d been more time to get to know him better.

Christopher Wortley, Southampton, England

I was deeply saddened today to belatedly learn of Russell Churney's death.
I was a big fan of his role as Julian Clary's straight man/whipping boy and also of last year's wonderfully entertaining Table Hopping series on Resonance FM, where he and David McGillivray would amusingly discuss just about anything in a London eatery of their choice, then 'bump into' a celebrity friend in the same establishment.

I watched the Best of Sticky Moments video recently and his frantic backing vocals during Leader of the Pack remain one of the funniest cabaret turns ever.

He will be hugely missed.

Alasdair Dickson, London, England

My sister and I saw 'the lovely Russell' in Norwich with Julian Clary many years ago. I caught up with him about 10 years later through his work with Barb Jungr. His intuitive, sensitive accompaniment to her impassioned singing made me realise what a great talent he was. We saw many shows in many places and while Barb was the headline name Russell was her equal in every respect. He was always so kind and nice to us, taking the trouble to recognise us at the next gig; we felt part of the show.
Terribly sad news, so much more so for his family, but we'll miss him too, and his music.

graeme, eastbourne, england

It's scary when you arrive at your first teaching post, aged 22, unsure of whether it is what you want to do for the rest of your life. I didn't have the privilege of teaching the articulate, talented and frighteningly intelligent then sixth former Russell Churney (many of my colleagues did, and were hugely affected by the news of his death), but he was one of the major influences that kept me in teaching - if we can turn out people like this, even occasionally, it's worth it, I reasoned. I am daily grateful for the fact that for some reason I was moved to re-contact him 25 years later, just as his cancer was diagnosed, and was able to catch up with him and see him twice, once in performance, before his death. A lasting memory is a 'snow day' at school when we were stationed in the assembly hall together to gather up stragglers who didn't know school was cancelled. We talked for a while and he played the piano, brilliantly as ever. Wonderful. Russell, thanks for punctuating my life.

Stephanie Dunning, Crosby, Liverpool,

I was lucky enough to see Russell perform with Dillie Keane & Fascinating Aida. Though I didn't know him personally, his clearly wonderful personality shone through within his performances. What a shame that he is no longer with us, though he is obviously needed elsewhere, those people whose hearts he has touched will at least be able to remember him with the feeling of joy & happiness that he brought, certainly to me.

Helen Stroud, Buckingham,

My friends and I were so very sad to hear of Russels death.
We came to love him and his work through the many wonderful Cafe Prague shows with Barb Jungr,at Komedia, Brighton, with Howard Samuels and Des de Moore , and at a viewing of Norahs Ark in progress in London.
We hope so much that there will be a tribute event that we can attend.
Thanks to Russel for the pleasure he gave through his work.

Angie travis, Brighton, E.Sussex, U.K.

Was I a good friend of Russell? No!
Was I aware of Russell's recent work? No!
Do I remember him from his Julian Clary (live) touring days? Oh yes (who could forget them).
But my lasting memory?
I have the enviable pleasure of remembering Russell from his school days, where he could (and would) have the school assembly in fits of laughter, and the school play audience in genuine suspense, hanging on every word of his performance. Trust me, after over 20 years, there aren't many other school assemblies I can remember.
A true master of his art.
My condolences go to all his close (and no doubt many)friends and his relatives.

Ian Stewart, Southport, Merseyside

I thought Russell was a terrific guy. I've known him as long as I've known Erika. I was so saddened to hear that he had died. I'm sure he's " up there " playing the piano and keeping everyone entertained. God Bless you Russell. You wil be so missed.

margaret fitzgerald, Canvey Island, Essex

I worked with Russell on 2 productions and had a great time. He was witty and talented with impeccable comic timing. He also looked great in a chicken suit (you had to be there). A very sad loss.

Maggie Gordon-Walker, London,

Russell was a fantastic bloke, he gave his all to Erika and her daughter Phoebe, and many many people will miss him a lot.

Rebecca Young, Manchester,