The man behind some of Britain's most popular comedy programmes has died after being hit by a lorry.

Tributes have been paid to writer and producer Geoffrey Perkins, 55, a former head of comedy for the BBC, who had most recently been working for production company Tiger Aspect.

His list of TV hits includes the Royle Family, Men Behaving Badly, League of Gentlemen, The Catherine Tate Show and The Fast Show.

He had also produced sitcom Benidorm for ITV and Channel Four's Father Ted, for which he won a BAFTA in 1995.

Perkins was killed around 9.20am yesterday as he walked along Marylebone High Street in London.

Crash investigators are trying to piece together the details of the incident, but it is believed Perkins was in the road when he was hit by a three-and-a-half tonne flat bed truck.

It remains uncertain whether he collapsed or fell before he was struck by the vehicle. He suffered serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by an air ambulance doctor.

A Metropolitan police spokesman said: "Exactly what happened at the time the truck hit will be part of the investigation. There is nothing to suggest he was not in the road."

Perkins' latest work, Harry and Paul starring Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse - who he worked with when co-writing The Harry Enfield Television Programme, is due to air on the BBC next week.

He became head of BBC TV comedy in May 1995 after a highly successful career with BBC Radio, where he created the parody game Mornington Crescent which forms part of the show I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue.

He also produced the radio series of the Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy, the first BBC Radio comedy in stereo.

He was nominated for nine BAFTAs, including three for his work on satirical puppet show Spitting Image, between 1987 and last year.

In 1995 and 1997 he won two Writers' Guild of Great Britain awards for Harry Enfield and Chums.

As producer and executive producer Perkins credits also include comedy hits such as My Family, Coupling, Game On and Blackadder.

Pete Bennett-Jones, chairman of Tiger Aspect productions, said: “Geoffrey was one of the kindest, much loved and uniquely talented people we knew.

"He genuinely made the world a funnier place. It is an absolute tragedy and our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.”

Jana Bennett, BBC director of vision, said: “We are shocked and deeply saddened at this terrible news.

“Geoffrey Perkins was an outstanding creator of countless comedy hits on the BBC and elsewhere, and a very distinguished former BBC head of comedy.

“He embraced comedy talent to create unique programmes which will be enjoyed for a very long time to come. All of our thoughts are with Geoffrey’s family at this very sad time."

Peter Fincham, ITV’s director of television, added: “Geoffrey was a wonderful and much-loved producer who made some of the funniest programmes of the past 30 years.

“He was trusted and respected by all those who worked with him, and was a gentle and kind father, husband and friend. He’ll be missed greatly.”