RENOWNED satirist John Clarke has died at the age of 68.

Known and loved for his regular appearances with Bryan Dawe on the ABC, Clarke died from natural causes while hiking in the Grampians.

The New-Zealand born comedian and writer starred on classic Australian television shows such as Kath and Kim and The Games.

In 1989, with collaborator Dawe, Clarke introduced weekly satirical mock interviews to television, mocking political figures such as Paul Keating, Alexander Downer, George Bush and businessman Alan Bond.

Clarke also wrote and performed satirical interviews on Channel Nine’s A Current Affair and the ABC’s 7.30 program. In 2013, the satirical interviews were eventually given their own eponymous program, Clarke and Dawe, which screened on ABC TV.

Clarke and Dawe perfected a unique style of comedy double act in which public figures and politicians would be lampooned in an interview-style format. Clarke was always the interview subject but made no attempt to impersonate his target, either by appearance or voice.

He also worked behind the scenes, writing the screenplay for the Billy Connolly vehicle The Man Who Sued God and script editing The Adventures of Lano and Woodley.

During the 1980s and early 1990s, Clarke also featured in several films such as Never Say Die, Death in Brunswick — alongside New Zealand actor Sam Neill — and Blood Oath.

He also co-wrote stage musicals such as The Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie and Little Ragged Blossom.

Clarke was a prolific writer and wrote a string of political books. Among his collection included The Howard Miracle, The 7.56 Report, A Dagg at My Table, and The Catastrophe Continues.

LOVED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE DITCH

John Morrison Clarke was first noticed in his native New Zealand in the 1970s with the TV series Fred Dagg, which was a satirical take on the post-pioneering Kiwi bloke.

He became a national star when he first unveiled the character, which was known for memorable expressions such as saying: “That’ll be the door”.

Clarke moved from New Zealand to Australia in 1979, where he became recognised as a top script writer and personality.

He is survived by his wife Helen, two daughters Lorin and Lucia and two grandchildren.

Clarke’s family released a statement saying he was “Forever in our hearts”.

“John died doing one of the things he loved the most in the world, taking photos of birds in beautiful bushland with his wife and friends,” the statement read.

“We are aware of what he has meant to so many for so many years, throughout the world but especially in Australia and New Zealand. We are very grateful for all expressions of sympathy and love which John would have greatly appreciated.”

COMEDIANS MOURN ONE OF THE BEST

Fellow comedians were among the first to honour Clarke.

Wil Anderson described him as “a genuine comedy giant”.

“With all due respect to Jon Stewart, John Oliver and Stephen Colbert, John Clarke invented what they did and was still doing it better than anyone else in the world right until the end which sadly came way too soon,” he said.

Dave Hughes described Clarkes as a “Brilliant man”.

“Made me laugh a lot over many years. One of a kind. Loved his humour. Huge loss,” he said.

Peter Helliar described Clarke as a “true original”.

“No-one has managed to make dry wit as utterly hilarious as John did. He made an enormous contribution to Australian life and culture.”

Kenny star Shane Jacobson said “Australia has just lost its dry comic genius”.

“John Clarke was a master of his craft whose slight smile and perfect comic timing will be not only missed dearly on our screens but also in our hearts. I stand amongst all fans applauding a great man and an outstanding career.”

Radio and TV duo Hamish and Andy paid tribute in a short statement.

“There’s not a person in comedy who wouldn’t rate John as a master. We, like everyone, will miss him and are grateful for what he gave the world,” the pair said.

Charlie Pickering revealed that he was such a fan of Clarke’s work that one Chirstmas he was given four copies of his latest book.

“John was a familiar part of my life and sense of humour since I was old enough to know what I liked,” Pickering said. “It goes without saying that he had a huge influence on me and our show. How can he not? If you are going to have the nerve to make jokes about the news in Australia, you do so knowing that you will never clear the bar set by John Clarke.

“And his work with Bryan Dawe over decades has been as good as anything put to air anywhere in the world.

“Last year Tom Gleeson and I recorded a tribute to Clarke & Dawe simply as a thank you for being our favourite thing on TV. I rang him to ask permission. The conversation got away from itself and we ended up talking about how writing a good comedy script was somewhere between poetry and physics. Whatever that middle ground is, John Clarke deserved the Nobel Prize.”

Two of the greatest minutes of satire you will see: https://t.co/8xVgMYK3SH #JohnClarke #TheFrontFellOff — Wil Anderson (@Wil_Anderson) April 10, 2017 Ian • Now Ian • Now

John Clarke. For me, the greatest comic mind of our time. Up there with Barry Humphries. Fred Dagg lives on in my heart. What a loss. — Greg Champion (@gregchampion) April 10, 2017

News of #JohnClarke is devastating. He helped mentor Amanda & I on the Lowdown pilot. His work is everlasting as is the twinkle in his eye. — Adam Zwar (@adamzwar) April 10, 2017

Vale John Clarke. Brilliantly funny man. — Dave Hughes (@DHughesy) April 10, 2017

Vale John Clarke. I will miss terribly our chats about politics and law and comedy. What a delightful man. What a shocking, terrible loss. — Corinne Grant (@corinne_grant) April 10, 2017

NETWORK REPS PAY TRIBUTE

ABC Managing Director Michelle Guthrie said “We have lost a giant presence on our screens”.

“Australian audiences have relied on John Clarke for always getting to the heart of how many Australians felt about the politics of the day and tearing down the hypocrisy and at times absurdity of elements of our national debate,’ she said.

Darren Wick, the director of news and current affairs at Channel Nine, said he was saddened by the news of Clarke’s death.

“John along with his partner in satire Bryan Dawe entertained audiences on A Current Affair between 1989 to 1997, in the days of Mike Willesee and Jana Wendt hosting the program. Our sincere condolences go to his family at this time, John was truly one of the most memorable and much loved people on Australian television and at Nine we will remember him fondly, his commentary and wit on political matters will be missed greatly by audiences across the country.”

TV host Andrew O’Keefe said Clarke “represented the very best of satire”.

“He was sharp without being rude, he was knowing but never condescending, he was satirical but not sarcastic. Instead of battering us with argument, he goaded us into political participation by making us see the absurdity of the status quo. We loved him for that prod. And the fact that he did it all in that beautiful tone of the faintly amused gentleman made us treasure him even more,” he said.

GALLERY: Remembering John Clarke

POLITICAL LEADERS AND PUBLIC FIGURES SAY FAREWELL

Opposition leader Bill Shorten described Clarke as “one of Australia’s sharpest and driest comedians”.

“The news at five to seven every night will not be the same anymore because John Clarke has left us,” Mr Shorten said at a press conference in Brisbane today.

“I also want to express my sympathies to his great partner in comedy, Bryan Dawe.

“No doubt he will be feel this loss acutely.”

Other politicians and public figures shared their thoughts on social media.

Vale John Clarke. A leading light of Australian comedy and political satire. — Richard Di Natale (@RichardDiNatale) April 10, 2017

So sad to hear of the passing of the brilliant John Clarke. The sharpest, driest wit on Aussie TV. 6:56 on Thursdays will never be the same. — Bill Shorten (@billshortenmp) April 10, 2017

Gutted about John Clarke. We can ill afford to lose such a voice of wry sanity. — Jane Caro (@JaneCaro) April 10, 2017

John Clarke: respected by his peers, adored by his fans, loved by his colleagues with a reputation as a one of the nicest blokes. RIP. — Leigh Sales (@leighsales) April 10, 2017

So sad to hear the mega talented John Clarke has died. Remember the 100m track debacle in "The Games" ? Brilliant. https://t.co/LFTVyhhuPn — Karen Tighe (@karentighe) April 10, 2017