August 13, 2008 12:16

'South Park' pays tribute to Isaac Hayes

Show's creators put acrimonious departure aside to praise 'Chef'

South Park's creators have paid tribute to Isaac Hayes - despite their relationship with the singer ending acrimoniously.

The soul legend died on Sunday (August 10) after apparently suffering a stroke at his home in Memphis.

Hayes supplied the voice for the cartoon's character Chef (pictured), from the show's 1998 inception until 2006, but the programme's creators fell out with him after an episode that featured his religion scientology.

As a result of Hayes' departure creators Trey Stone and Matt Parker killed his character off in brutal fashion.
The duo were critical of the singer for being prepared to co-operate in shows attacking other religions but not his own, although it was later suggested that having suffered a stroke just before his departure he was "in no condition to quit anything", and suggested someone had spoken on his behalf.

However despite the bad blood, the programme has posted a simply "In memoriam" tribute featuring Chef on their official site Southparkstudios.com.