TV comedy writer and producer Harry Thompson, whose credits included Have I Got News for You, Da Ali G Show and Monkey Dust, has died, aged 45.

One of the most successful comedy producers of his generation, Thompson was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer in April. He died last night, having married his long-term girlfriend Lisa Whadcock earlier in the day. He is survived by two children from a previous marriage, Betty, 11, and Bill, 9.

Thompson was responsible for 93 episodes of Have I Got News for You and 100 editions of sporting panel show They Think It's All Over. He also wrote and produced Da Ali G Show, starring Sacha Baron Cohen. His other credits included Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Harry Enfield and Chums, and Newman and Baddiel in Pieces.

One of Thompson's latest creations was Monkey Dust, a dark satirical animated series for BBC3 and BBC2. He also wrote his first novel, This Thing of Darkness, which was long-listed for the Booker Prize.

Talking about his illness in June this year, Thompson said it was "like a really big hard bastard has invited me outside the pub, and when I get there I find he's brought two of his mates who want a fight as well".

Thompson joined the BBC as a trainee in 1981 and worked as a researcher and occasional joke writer on BBC2's Not the Nine O'Clock News. He joined BBC Radio as a comedy producer in 1984, and produced Radio 4's long-running News Quiz and The Mary Whitehouse Experience, which launched the careers of Rob Newman and David Baddiel.

Thompson moved into television in 1990 as a freelance producer, where he launched Have I Got News for You. He left the show in 1996 to work on other projects. He also produced the pilot shows for Channel 4's 11 O'Clock Show.

As well as his television commitments, Thompson wrote biographies of Peter Cook, Richard Ingrams, and Tintin creator Herge. This Thing of Darkness was the first of a two-book deal with Hodder. He also contributed to national newspapers and was nominated for travel journalist of the year in 1995.

The BBC1 controller, Peter Fincham, praised Thompson as "that rarity in television - the talented, single-minded, subversive, unassimilated maverick".

Fincham, who as chief executive of Talkback Thames worked with Thompson on shows such as Monkey Dust and Have I Got News for You, said: "I can't believe this has happened and happened so quickly.

"He also wrote brilliant books and his biography of Peter Cook is definitive. He had no time for companies, corporations or executives. His natural urge was always to satirise and debunk. He was one of nature's freelancers, answerable only to himself, challenging, funny and astute. He leaves a big hole in the comedy world. I'll miss him."

Thompson had been due to receive an award for his outstanding contribution to British comedy at next month's televised British Comedy Awards. The show's executive producer, Michael Hurll, said: "It's sad that he won't be there to receive it but the legacy of his enduringly popular series lives on."

Former Talkback editorial director Daisy Goodwin, who set up independent production company Silver River with Thompson earlier this year, said it was her "proudest achievement. He created a place everyone wants to work - where creative people could excel."

"He was one of the country's most prolific and legendary comedy producers," said Thompson's friend and colleague, James Herring. "The impact he made on TV comedy was immense, and he will be greatly missed by many."

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