When veteran British comedian Ian Cognito sat down and fell silent during a gig in southern England, the audience thought it was part of his stand-up routine.

Instead, it turned out to be his last moments alive.

Tragically, Cognito, 60, whose real name was Paul Barbieri, died during a show at the Atic Bar in Bicester, southern England on Friday night (Thursday local time).

The venue’s owner Ryan Mold told CNN the audience “thought it was part of his set” and had only just finished speaking about having a heart attack or a stroke only a few minutes earlier.

“He sat down, put his head and arms back; his shoulders were twitching,” he said.

Mr Mold described Cognito as having a “flamboyant character on stage”, so his behaviour “didn’t seem unusual” to the audience.

Show organiser Andrew Bird told the BBC that when Cognito sat down and stopped talking, “everyone in the crowd, me included, thought he was joking”.

While he never achieved international fame, he was a highly respected comedian among his peers, receiving many tributes from fellow entertainers and celebrities when news broke of his death.

Australian comedian Adam Hills remembered playing alongside Cognito, affectionately known as “Cogs”, at a Kilkenny Comedians football match.

Such fond memories of playing alongside Ian Cognito in the Kilkenny Comedians Football Match. Not enough people remembering his football skills today #RIPCogs https://t.co/AH25P2hFfL

— Adam Hills (@adamhillscomedy) April 12, 2019

Little Britain star Matt Lucas said: 
”He was always kind to me when I started out, and brilliant and provocative and entirely original onstage. What a loss”.

Entertainer Jimmy Carr, best known for his TV performances on Channel 4 comedy panel game 8 Out of 10 Cats, tweeted about Cognito’s onstage death.

“Veteran stand-up comedian Ian Cognito has died on-stage – literally.

“The audience thought it was part of the act. Died with his boots on. That’s commitment to comedy.”

Goodnight Ian Cognito. This is how I’ll remenber you. Jar in hand and a roguish smile on your face. Knowing you was one of the best bits of being a comic. I love you mate. Rest in peace Xx pic.twitter.com/CGG6JlMtzh

— Mx Wil Hodgson 🏳️‍⚧️ (@WilHodgson) April 12, 2019

In shock at the news of Ian Cognito's sudden passing. He was always kind to me when I started out, and brilliant and provocative and entirely original onstage. What a loss.

— Matt Lucas HQ (@RealMattLucas) April 12, 2019

Cognito’s fellow comedians realised something wasn’t right after a few minutes, Mr Mold told CNN, and ran onto the stage to offer help.

The audience was quickly removed from the hall while a paramedic, who was part of the audience, began performing CPR.

The South Central Ambulance Service confirmed medics were called to the club at 10.11pm on Thursday where one patient died at the scene.

Police said the death was not suspicious.