Russ Tannahill

“Chris was in many ways my apotheosis: a hairy, Scottish, rugby-playing jock (literally) who was cultured and skilled in languages. We both began Cambridge thinking we were destined to be a real-life Bond, Chris less secretly. If mine was a pathetic attempt at danger in the form of an unconvincing and disappointing Timothy Dalton, Chris’s was a brooding, rugged, captivating Connery. He had much that I didn't - and he’d have been delighted with that as a tribute, I’m sure. 

My fond memories of the everyday Landy at Robinson centre around: regularly meeting him in the early hours of the morning - when we both had essays due or when he was just having a potter around at 2am as he was prone to do; the excellent rugby tour to Edinburgh he organised and championed; living at Romsey a few doors down from him, and marveling at his ability to always be a little later or a little more lost than me (but just a little less than TJ); and finally his magical ability to turn up in nearly every photo I took. Such was his famous charm!

I’m grateful for the time I spent with him. He was brilliant company. I remember Chris as hilarious, deeply fascinating, proud, insightful and always interested in others. Chris was a sensitive and caring gentleman. Every message I had from him in recent years saw him ask after Isabella, my daughter, which I really appreciated. 

It is cruel that the world is deprived of such a good man. I wish I could say more - and he certainly deserves it - but this is even harder to process than I had realised. Landy, you’ll be much missed but not forgotten.”