The entertainment world pays tribute to Chris Roche

Warm tributes have been paid to the entertainment publicist Mr Chris Roche who died yesterday.

Mr Roche (48) worked with a panoply of national and international stars in the past 20 years, including Michael Flatley, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh, the producer of musicals such as Cats and Les Miserables.

The concert promoter Mr Jim Aiken said Mr Roche had begun the entertainment PR industry in this State when he set up his own company 20 years ago. "He was very talented. He wouldn't have held on to people such as Michael Flatley or Andrew Lloyd Webber otherwise."

Mr Aiken was one of Mr Roche's first clients and the duo opened up Slane Castle as a rock venue for Lord Henry Mountcharles. Mr Aiken said he would miss his sense of humour and cool head.

Mr Mackintosh's spokeswoman, Ms Sue Uings, said Mr Roche was "the most exceptional and outstanding publicity agent we have ever worked with. And we have worked with many".

Mr Roche's publicity work helped to ensure successful runs in Ireland for shows such as Cats, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera and Miss Saigon.

Michael Flatley paid tribute to Mr Roche last week, saying: "Chris has been with me since the very beginning when times were tough. He is the greatest PR man I know and he is a true friend."

A spokeswoman for Chris Roche Publicity said Mr Roche was a public relations specialist who lived the industry motto, "publicise the client, not yourself".

A Dubliner, he began his working life with CBS records and then moved to the UK-based distribution company, Solomen and Peres. He handled all the business of Warner Music in Ireland and then in 1980 became promotions and A&R manager with Warner.

Two years later he set up Chris Roche Publicity.

Mr Roche was also involved in bringing ballet and opera performances to Ireland.

He organised the entertainment for the Phoenix Park welcome home party in 1994 for the Irish soccer team.

According to colleagues, one of the events which gave him the most satisfaction was the the 1990 "Tribute to Mandela" concert which marked the Nobel Prize-winner's visit to this State.

Once, in a letter to Mr Aiken, Mr Roche summed up the attitude to business he had learned: "Win or lose, you always pay your bills; you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar; always say thanks; and the guest list can always take two more."

Mr Roche was married to Ms Geraldine Niland, the Sunday Independent journalist and is also survived by his parents John and Teresa, and siblings David, Antoinette and Mary.

His removal will be held next Monday, December 9th, to St Patrick's Church, Monkstown, at 5 p.m.

The requiem Mass will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m.