Done to death by laughter

The funnier you are, the more likely you are to die young - at least, that's what new research suggests.

Prompted by the deaths of Robin Williams, 63, and Rik Mayall, 55, this year, health analysts at the Australian Catholic University investigated the theory that the best comics often have a shorter life.

They studied 53 comedians and found that, of the 23 ranked the funniest, 78% died relatively young. Tony Hancock was 44 when he committed suicide, and Peter Sellers and Tommy Cooper died of heart attacks aged 54 and 63 respectively.

The study, reported in the International Journal of Cardiology, also found that being exceptionally funny could take a toll on mental health, and that the funny man in comedy double acts was three times more likely to die relatively young than his straight man.