Yesterday the news that the French comic-book artist, who created Asterix with the writer René Goscinny, Albert Uderzo died at the age of 92.

I’ve been a fan of Asterix the Gaul since I first came across him and his adventures in the late seventies. When I saw the Asterix the Gaul animated movie whilst on holiday at my aunts in St Albans. Those holidays in St Albans hold a special place in my memories. I enjoyed them a lot.

My first Asterix book was the Twelve Tasks of Asterix that I bought through the book club that my secondary school participated in. We’d get a leaflet with a selection of books we could choose from. I think they were slightly cheaper than the shops. I can’t recall how many times I read it. But it was a prized possession for teenage me. I just about remember playing the Asterix video game on the Commodore 64.

At Brighton Poly with access to better shops, particularly book shops I was able to binge out on the Asterix books.

Decades later on the family holiday from hell to France we went to the two theme parks outside Paris, Parc Asterix and Disneyland Paris. I enjoyed Parc Asterix so much more than the Disney one. Although I think the theme was wasted a bit on the kids. The main characters were so much more accessible than the Disney ones.

Two or three years ago I had something delivered from abroad that arrived with the amazing stamp above. Which I keep in a safe place. It’s a treasured item.

The characters that Albert Uderzo and René Goscinny created are iconic. They have bought enjoyment to millions and millions of people, young and old over the decades. That is such a rare thing to have done.

My thoughts are with the family and friends of Albert Uderzo.