Jump to content. Mr Prichard described Monkhouse as "one of the finest men I've ever known". Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. But when did the TV star leave us? Brian L. Potter, CAMBRIDGE, England. What's it worth to you?" God bless you, Bob. In Jimmy Carrs 2006 book The Naked Jape, he cited some of Monkhouses jokes. She was his secretary and they married in 1973 after he split from first wife Elizabeth. From Tracy and Paul.Tracy & Paul Coke, Shoeburyness, Essex, Growing up with Bob Monkhouse on television, this has came as a massive shock to me. Am I going to be nasty? He starred in Dentist in the Chair (1960) and Dentist on the Job (1961), later regretting not choosing the Carry Ons over the dental comedies. In March, he received a five-minute standing ovation from fellow entertainers at an awards show and BBC1 screened a special on his 56-year TV career in October. 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. When Monkhouse appeared in March at the Television and Radio Industries Club awards in London, where he received an award for his contribution to the entertainment world, the comedian wise-cracked: "I discovered about two years ago that visits to the loo were less and less profitable. One of the nicest people in this business, always found time to stop for a chat. Then I'm a snoot. A Great Entertainer [7], Monkhouse completed his National service with the Royal Air Force in 1948. Monkhouse died aged 75 after being one of Britain's top comedians for more than four decades. Hilary, Guildford, UK, Witty, funny and as sharp as a razor. DON'T MISSBob Monkhouse: The comedy uncle[INTERVIEW]Why comedy fans love a one-liner[ANALYSIS]Cache in the attic: Bob Monkhouse hid 50,000 comedy videos in his loft[NEWS]. Bob Monkhouse: Master of Laughter airs at 9pm tonight on Channel 5. I want to die in the saddle. This account already exists. Yet, in 2007, he made a "comeback", appearing in a new TV campaign advertising a prostate cancer charity. Bob died peacefully in his sleep this morning at his home after a lengthy battle with cancer.". Two video cassettes of my cabaret act and a sea of game shows as valuable as yesterdays Daily Mirror.. Monkhouse leaves a daughter, Abigail. He had three children from his first marriage, but only his adopted daughter, Abigail, survived him. Bob Monkhouse died from prostate cancer in 2003 after a two-and-a-half-year battle (Image: GETTY) The Independent's Giles Smith commented that Monkhouse "told me this quite candidly" in a 1995. He wrote, produced, financed and syndicated the show worldwide. He was 75. Mr Prichard, who was Monkhouse's manager for 38 years, said: "Sadly, I have to announce the death of Bob Monkhouse OBE. 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. [citation needed]. He died peacefully in his sleep after losing his two-and-a-half year battle against cancer, said Peter Prichard. Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think of this story. Friends said she never fully recovered from Monkhouse's death from prostate cancer in 2003. Bob: Great Comedian Great mind, great man. When he came on stage to entertain us the very first thing he said was that there was a lady in the audience who was celebrating her birthday today. He was diagnosed with the condition in September 2001. Dick Fiddy, the archivist, said: "It's a huge, unwieldy collection which deals with a number of areas. 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. Opportunity Knocks (1956), The National Lottery (1994), and many others. applies equally to Bob Monkhouse. Monkhouse's final stand-up show was performed at the Albany Comedy Club in London on 25 August 2003,[13] four months before his death. [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. The London Gazette, 21 February 1958, p. 1258. ", His autobiography, Crying With Laughter, rejuvenated his career in 1993. He was 75. Born in Beckenham, Kent, in June 1928, Monkhouse started out as a comedy writer and rose to become one of the country's top comics with a highly polished on-screen persona that people seemed to either love or hate. Remarkably, he featured in an advert concerning prostate cancer over three years following his death. In his later years, Monkhouse was probably better known for hosting television quiz shows than for being a comedian. Mrs. Valerie Darling, Kettering, Northamptonshire, Bob was consistently one of the funniest blokes around. He recalled: Two quite attractive women in Marie Antoinette-type outfits are coming through a field. In 1993, Monkhouse, who lived in Eggington, near Leighton Buzzard, was awarded the OBE. A Bob Monkhouse impersonator is so good fans keep thinking the comedy legend is still alive. His two sons both died in tragic circumstances - Gary from cerebral palsy and Simon from a heroin overdose. The late comedian was among Britains top entertainers and is believed to have inspired contemporary funnymen including Jimmy Carr, Michael McIntyre and Peter Kay. before walking away from his grave and disappearing. [7] His widow, Jacqueline, suffered a heart attack and died in Barbados on 28 March 2008.[24]. Bob was 75 at the time, having marked his birthday some months earlier in June. Shine on. Enter your password to log in. When do the clocks change in 2023? A sad loss.Robert Nisbet, Los Angeles, USA, A legend of a man, who will be sorely missed.Stuart, Norwich, Bob Monkhouse - despite his detractors in the more 'avant-garde' comedy streams should be remembered as someone who in his self-deprecating perma-tan way was always able to make an audience laugh. If still alive today, Bob would now be 92! A genius of one-liners, memory and timing! Id have paid good money to stay out of here. In 1993 Monkhouse was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to entertainment. He was the host of television game shows including The Golden Shot, Celebrity Squares, Family Fortunes and Wipeout. BBC director general Greg Dyke said: "Bob was a major entertainment figure for nearly half a century with both the BBC and ITV.". Bob, you will be missed!Simon Botley, Kuching, Malaysia, We'll miss you. The former Family Fortune host died at his home in the village of Eggington, near Leighton Buzzard. Chris Perry, of Kaleidoscope and Kaleidoscope Publishing, said: "We are painstakingly transferring the important contents of the video tapes and restoring radio shows. He passed away at home in Bedfordshire on December 29 2003. He was appearing in south sea with Yana. Monkhouse married his secretary Jackie in 1972. His manager, Peter Prichard, said the entertainer died peacefully at his Bedfordshire home on Monday morning. "He was respected by all the other comedians because he was dedicated to his craft - he never stopped making people laugh," Mr Prichard said. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, Bob Monkhouse. It was claimed that Carrs one-liners were very similar to those of Monkhouse due to their brevity, their punchiness [and] their verbal economy. He revealed that the only difficulty he experienced was with the Essex lot, who he defined as lary lads who came from the scrap-metal belt. Having lent Terry Wogan's son a film, Monkhouse was charged with attempting to defraud film distributors of royalties, but after two years the judge decided that there was no case to answer. Detectives hunting for Constance Martens baby find remains of infant, London Ambulance Service told to improve its ethnic diversity, Third of London pupils miss first pick of school, Shocking moment moped narrowly misses 70mph train at level crossing, Armed police swoop on Hackney Central station after man knifed, Harry and Meghan lose Frogmore Cottage after memoir controversy, What is the Willow Project? The dozens of other shows Monkhouse presented included Celebrity Squares, Family Fortunes and Bob's Full House. The gun, launcher and camera were props. He added: "The family requests privacy at this very unhappy time.". Today is the 17th anniversary of Bob Monkhouses death. See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. [26][27] Money raised went to the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation.[28]. Prostate cancer, I don't recommend. "Bob was a major entertainment figure for nearly half a century with both the BBC and ITV," he said. Bob Monkhouse, born June 1 1928, died December 29 2003, Supremely accomplished stand-up comic and game show host, whose self-assured manner on screen masked a personal life dogged by loss and disappointment, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. He is an example to us all.John Bartram, Margate, Sad news - especially at this time of year. Decca Record Company Limited, 1963. This was broadcast live for 52 weeks a year and drew up to 17 million viewers. His TV debut was in the 1950s comedy show Fast And Loose and by 1960 he was host of the British version of Candid Camera. He was obviously concentrating on his delivery, but still had the courtesy to exchange good natured pleasantries. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. The advertisement was made with the support of Monkhouse's estate and supported by poster campaigns, including award-winning panels displayed in London Underground trains. Monkhouse died in 2003 of prostate cancer. The star, one of the UK's best known entertainers, battled prostate and bone cancer for more than two years. I first caught sight of him in the morning as I was entering the hotel to book in with my party. He died peacefully in his sleep after a two-and-a-half year battle against prostate cancer, said Peter Prichard. The format of the interviews varied between "true" chat and analysis of comedy to scripted routines in which Monkhouse would willingly play the role of the guest's stooge, as he did with Bob Hope.[11]. Bob Monkhouse: Master Of Laughter airs on Channel 5 tonight Tuesday, December 29 at 9pm. During the interview she produced a handgun and fired it on several occasions, destroying a plant pot on the set and a series of lights in the studio roof. A respected stand-up comedian, Monkhouse was known for his talent at ad-libbing. On 12 June 2007, Monkhouse posthumously appeared on British TV in an advertisement promoting awareness of prostate cancer for Male Cancer Awareness Week. His two sons both died in tragic circumstances - Gary from cerebral palsy and Simon from a heroin overdose. The critics used to pan him as appearing insincere yet very few tried to meet him or get to know him. Monkhouse's agent of 38 years, Peter Prichard, said . He explained that he found it difficult to know how to react to their jibes without seeming pompous because he had been around for so long. [4][10] In addition, they were gag writers for American comedians including Bob Hope, supplying jokes for British tours. The veteran comedian, whose showbusiness career spanned more than half a century, was. His legacy will be remembered in Bob Monkhouse: Master of Laughter, which airs tonight on Channel 5. Keep on joking Bob.Michael Anazapela, Aberdeen, A brilliantly funny, inventive and above all sincere performer - Max Miller's "There'll never be another!" I guess what really sums up Bob for me was that despite some of the crude and crass humour that exists on today's television, Bob never sunk to that level to get a laugh, he was the consummate professional, and was a "Family" entertainer which in today's world of comedy is a rare treasure. One of his biggest successes was The Golden Shot from July 1967 until January 1972 and again from July 1974 to April 1975. Part of my childhood has gone and I am very sad.Trev Edwards, Preston, Lancashire, For me, this was the saddest loss of the year. Nobody since has done it like Bob. Read our, {{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}. You were one of the best.Haydn Jones, Prestatyn, Denbighshire. The veteran star recalled the strained relationship he had with his son Simon, 46 - who died . Further scandal emerged in Monkhouses later years when he published his autobiography Crying With Laughter in 1993. Bob - you shall be sorely missed as an asset to the craft. JUST IN:The man with a million jokes: Bob Monkhouse's legacy examined. Mr Prichard said the comedian's wife, Jackie, called him shortly after 5am with the news. The veteran comedian, whose showbusiness career spanned more than half a century, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in September 2001. His two sons both died in tragic circumstances - Gary from cerebral palsy and Simon from a heroin overdose. During the confrontation, he allegedly held a cut-throat razor to the comedians face and told him: Im going to slit your eyeballs!. 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