[17], In 1995 the British Comedy Awards gave him its Lifetime Achievement Award for Comedy, and eight years later, a few weeks before he died, the Television and Radio Industries Club awarded him a Special Award for Outstanding Contribution to Broadcasting. A respected stand-up comedian, Monkhouse was known for his talent at ad-libbing. Monkhouse's TV shows included The Golden Shot - which at its peak had 16 million viewers - Opportunity Knocks and Bob's Full House. He was 75. He married Jackie, his former secretary in 1973. You will be sadly missed by the British public. . The gun, launcher and camera were props. Bob - you shall be sorely missed as an asset to the craft. Bob signed off: As a comedian, Ive died many deaths. [9], Monkhouse began his adult career as a scriptwriter for radio comedy in partnership with Denis Goodwin, a fellow Old Alleynian with whom he also compred Smash Hits on Radio Luxembourg. He was the host of television game shows including The Golden Shot, Celebrity Squares, Family Fortunes and Wipeout . I wouldn't know what to do if I retired anyway.". [4][10] In addition, they were gag writers for American comedians including Bob Hope, supplying jokes for British tours. He went on to host more than 30 quiz shows on British television. The star, who died from prostate cancer aged 75 in 2003, is to appear in a campaign about the disease that killed him.The ad-makers have taken archive footag. Bless you, Bob.John, South Wales, Fifteen years ago I met Bob in person in a hotel in Stoke-on-Trent. He was a UK institution and will be missed by millions. The entire Monkhouse film and television archive is now held by Kaleidoscope, including all the material previously held by the National Film and Television Archive (NFTVA). Monkhouse leaves a daughter, Abigail. Bob Monkhouse Supremely accomplished stand-up comic and game show host, whose self-assured manner on screen masked a personal life dogged by loss and disappointment Dennis Barker Mon 29 Dec 2003. Suddenly I was in fashion again and reaching new people. The former Family Fortune host died at his home in the village of Eggington, near Leighton Buzzard, during the night, he said. Recorded in 2003 live on stage, interspersed with interviews with comedians and celebrities that were in the audience that night. Rob Hall, Manchester, He always gave fantastically crisp and sharp responses on any topic. Our thoughts are particularly with his wife Jackie and daughter Abigail at this very sad time. After national service in the RAF, he conned his way into the BBC - by duping an Army psychiatrist into signing a letter requesting an audition, on the grounds that it would be the only cure for Corporal Monkhouse's delusional psychosis. . When his joke books containing his gag collection were stolen in 1995 it was headline news, with huge interest in the public appeal and a 10,000 reward offered for their return. A genuinely funny man has left us.Paul Curran, Lowestoft, A true gentleman, a true comedian, a true workaholic and now a legend. Bob was the greatest comic/entertainer/game show host this country has ever seen. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, Bob Monkhouse. Bob was as sharp as any comedian 50 years his junior. Prepare for peak pothole season! The ad, made with the blessing of his widow, blends footage of Monkhouse with that of a body double then adds CGI manipulation of his face to match what is being spoken by a sound-alike. In 1995, he poked fun at his legacy when he told the Independent: What will I leave behind me? You can opt-out at any time by signing in to your account to manage your preferences. They don't make them like Bob any more! They were returned after 18 months,[10] but the thief, although arrested, was never charged. The Independents Giles Smith commented that Monkhouse told me this quite candidly in a 1995 article. In Jimmy Carrs 2006 book The Naked Jape, he cited some of Monkhouses jokes. By clicking Sign up you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice. "He was the doyen of English comedy accepted by the fans and by other performers as one of the greats. He was the guv'nor," said Mr Prichard. Read more: Nick McGlashan death: Police reveal possibility of drug involvement. The British entertainment world is mourning comedian Bob Monkhouse, who has died aged 75. He died peacefully in his sleep after a two-and-a-half year battle against prostate cancer, said Peter Prichard. With Julia Sawalha, Lucille Ball, Michael Barrymore, Jackie Clune. He later told his friend Colin Edmonds that this may have been a mistake, but that he wanted to be associated with a winner and he knew Margaret Thatcher could not lose the 1987 general election. The Independent reported that many assumed he was hoarding porn after the bust but later it was revealed that wasnt the case. Too ill to contribute the programme instead featured narration and contributions from fellow professionals. The wit and ability to think on his feet was his trademark. He is an example to us all.John Bartram, Margate, Sad news - especially at this time of year. Two video cassettes of my cabaret act and a sea of game shows as valuable as yesterdays Daily Mirror.. Enter your password to log in. Despite being plagued by self-doubt, the late stars talent is best illustrated through his writing talent. When Bob Monkhouse's widow died and his house was being prepared for market, the amazing extent of his private collection of video and audio recordings was realized. Mr Monkhouse had a long and successful career in showbusiness and had hosted hundreds of television shows. Veteran British comedian and television host Bob Monkhouse died today at his Bedfordshire home, his manager said. You were one of the best.Haydn Jones, Prestatyn, Denbighshire. Though regarded by some as smarmy, Monkhouse saw a revival in his career during the last 10 years, winning a new generation of fans and the respect of younger comics. Last year Monkhouse was back on stage for the Royal Variety Performance where he got the biggest cheer of the night. He was 75. He would arrive at any function or cabaret with specially written, individual material for every occasion," said fellow entertainer Des O'Connor. His manager, Peter Prichard, said the entertainer died peacefully at his Bedfordshire home on Monday morning. The governor has left us with legacy of comic treasures. RIP sir.Tony Wallace, Nottingham, As a professional musician, I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Bob on several occasions. Bob was one of the few men that could make me cringe, get me mad, cry (with laughter) and have me laughing until it hurts. I always enjoyed his 'Smooth' act and his (sometimes v. naughty) innuendos. Mr Prichard, of International Artists Ltd, said Monkhouse's wife Jackie called him shortly after 5am with the news that he had lost his battle with prostate cancer. Mr Prichard said he was "choked" to deliver "the very, very sad news". The show featured clips from comic silent films, many from his own private collection, some of which he had helped to recover and restore. Then I'm a snoot. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. A Bob Monkhouse impersonator is so good fans keep thinking the comedy legend is still alive. He added: "The family requests privacy at this very unhappy time.". His second marriage, to Jacqueline Harding, lasted until his death. A Channel 5 show about Bob Monkhouses life and work airs tonight (Tuesday, December 29). I remember some of his shows vividly, and it's a shame that yet another member of the old school of comedy is now gone. A real comedian and personality in the original sense of the word. Prince Harry 'hated woke nonsense' and 'made jokes we are no longer allowed to make' before meeting Meghan, Charles felt he had to act as king rather than as a father: REBECCA ENGLISH reveals why Charles backed moves Don't just stick to the Malbec! He has been a comedy presence all my life and will be missed. He married first wife Elizabeth at 21, but had several affairs - including one with Diana Dors - and the marriage quickly went sour - although the couple stayed together until 1966. A le g endary drinke r Monkhouse would consume two bottles of wine and half a bottle of whisky a day, including "a large one" before going on stage. he was 20, which caused a rift with his parents. 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Monkhouse lived in a house called "Claridges" in Eggington, near Leighton Buzzard, and had a flat in London and a holiday home in Barbados. He asked me to go up on the stage & presented me with a beautiful basket of flowers and got everyone to sing happy birthday. B ob Monkhouse, the king of television comedy, died today after a long battle against cancer. It was claimed that Carrs one-liners were very similar to those of Monkhouse due to their brevity, their punchiness [and] their verbal economy. The marriage ended after 18 years after they had three children - Abigail, Gary and Simon. He was the ultimate pro.Chris Hughes, Wraysbury, Staines, Whatever people think of Bob Monkhouse, he was truly 'The Guvnor' a trooper, a real professional and to some of today's younger comedians, an icon. Photograph: Andy Butterton/PA. The . He wrote, produced, financed and syndicated the show worldwide. He married his first wife Elizabeth in 1949 when Whats it worth to you?. Further scandal emerged in Monkhouses later years when he published his autobiography Crying With Laughter in 1993. Shine on. [7], Monkhouse completed his National service with the Royal Air Force in 1948. Veteran comedian Bob Monkhouse told of the devastating effect the death of his youngest son had on him. Monkhouse said: Am I going to be nice? 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Monkhouse had an elder brother, John, who was born in 1922. He said: "The publicity shots I've done look pretty . The dozens of other shows Monkhouse presented included Celebrity Squares, Family Fortunes and Bob's Full House. Born in Beckenham, south London, in June 1928, Monkhouse developed his talent for comedy while a pupil at nearby Dulwich College. I'm 33 and he's one of the first faces I can remember seeing on the TV as a child. See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. He will be greatly missed. Mrs. Valerie Darling, Kettering, Northamptonshire, Bob was consistently one of the funniest blokes around. His knowledge and skill in comedy were without parallel. The couple spent much of their time at their second home in Barbados. During the confrontation, he allegedly held a cut-throat razor to the comedians face and told him: Im going to slit your eyeballs!. His eldest son, Gary Alan, who had cerebral palsy, lived at Naish farm house, a residential home for the disabled in Christchurch Road, New Milton, Hampshire. "All I have is a perky mind," he said. She was his secretary and they married in 1973 after he split from first wife Elizabeth. John Walker, Walsall, England, He was a very good comedian but I think Bob Monkhouse will be best remembered for his work as a TV presenter I'm only old enough to remember the repeats of Bob's Full House onwards, and from there shows like The $64,000 Question, the updated version of Celebrity Squares, the National Lottery and of course, Wipeout. In his final years, Monkhouse hosted a show on BBC Radio 2 called The Monkhouse Archive in which he provided humorous links to clips of comedy acts spanning the previous 50 years. "I'm superficial. His writing and performing was legendary. Around 1969 he was a partner, with Malcolm Mitchell, in the Mitchell Monkhouse Agency. I once met Bob in 1959, when I was a young boy. Mr Prichard, who was Monkhouse's manager for 38 years, said: "Sadly, I . The funeral of the comedian Bob Monkhouse has been held at Amersham Crematorium in Buckinghamshire. The veteran star recalled the strained relationship he had with his son Simon, 46 - who died . ITV News, 29/12/2003.Not my copyright - just sharing found ephemera. Read a selection of your e-mails below. One more star has disappeared from the British theatres and TVs. Simon fell out with his father and died of a heroin overdose in a Thai guest house in 2001. He published his first cartoon when he was 12, and sold a joke to his hero, Max Miller, for five shillings when he was 15. First and foremost, however, Bobs career hinged on his comedic excellence. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends.Tony, Montevettolini, Tuscany, Italy, Images from the veteran comic's lengthy career. "I saw a specialist who asked me 'Are you familiar with the phrase faecal impaction?' [4] His public profile growing, Monkhouse also began appearing in comedy films, including the first of the Carry On film series, Carry On Sergeant, in 1958. ", His autobiography, Crying With Laughter, rejuvenated his career in 1993. Monkhouse s u f f e r e d deeply after the death of his son, Simon, from a heroin overdose in a 1-a-night Thai guesthouse in 2001. He was the host of television game shows including The Golden Shot, Celebrity Squares, Family Fortunes and Wipeout. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in, Please refresh your browser to be logged in, Veteran entertainer Bob Monkhouse dies after cancer battle, Extra 20% off selected fashion and sportswear at Very, Up to 20% off & extra perks with Booking.com Genius Membership, $6 off a $50+ order with this AliExpress discount code, 15% off orders over 15 with this eBay discount code, Compare broadband packages side by side to find the best deal for you, Compare cheap broadband deals from providers with fastest speed in your area, All you need to know about fibre broadband, Best Apple iPhone Deals in the UK February 2023, Compare iPhone contract deals and get the best offer this February, Compare the best mobile phone deals from the top networks and brands. He was also at the helm when infamously, on 30 November 1996, the lottery machine failed live on air, causing the draw to be delayed by 50 minutes until after that night's episode of Casualty aired. I will miss him so much and feel very deeply for his family as I have just lost my mother to cancer. But those gentlemen aside there are quite a number of people who are difficult to get on with because they haven't cracked it.. The star died on 29 December aged 75, at his home in Eggington, near Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, after fighting bone and prostate cancer for more than two years. But when did the TV star leave us? I have wonderful childhood memories of watching Bob's shows with my family. A genius of one-liners, memory and timing! Audiences regularly topped 15 million. One of British TV's most popular performers with a career that spanned over four decades, funny-man Bob . 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