Ever the showman, he continued to work on a new series of the popular daytime quiz Wipeout, as well as a number of one-off shows. 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. Monkhouse once said: "I'll never stop working. From 1996 to 1998, Monkhouse presented The National Lottery Live show on Saturday evenings on BBC1, for which he created the catchphrase: "I know I'm a sinner, but make me a winner!" Comedian Bob Monkhouse dies of cancer at the age of 75. Chris Perry, of Kaleidoscope and Kaleidoscope Publishing, said: "We are painstakingly transferring the important contents of the video tapes and restoring radio shows. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group, King Charles hosts von der Leyen at Windsor Castle, Huge urgent police search for missing baby of Constance Marten, Shocking video shows machete fight in broad daylight, Gabor Mat: No Jewish state without oppressing local population, Putin spy plane before being 'destroyed by pro-Ukraine Belarus group', Amplified jet stream could lead to 'disruptive snow in places', Pupils take to TikTok as they stage protest at Shenfield High School, Dashcam captures moment two cars collide on a roundabout, Putin orders intelligence service to find 'scum' who oppose him, Moment supermarket cashier is attacked at work in New York, Police search allotment sheds for Constance Marten's missing baby, Police: Constance Marten's baby may have come to serious harm. Monkhouse once said: "I'll never stop working. Veteran British comedian and television host Bob Monkhouse has died at his Bedfordshire home aged 75. 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. And by all accounts he was a nice bloke too! Chris Barnett, Eastbourne, His appearance on television brought joy into my life for many years. The opening to each show would see him deliver several minutes of topical jokes and on one occasion, where his autocue failed, he improvised a new and topical routine. Each email has a link to unsubscribe. 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. before walking away from his grave and disappearing. He was obviously concentrating on his delivery, but still had the courtesy to exchange good natured pleasantries. He would arrive at any function or cabaret with specially written, individual material for every occasion," said fellow entertainer Des O'Connor. Monkhouse later became a game show host, fronting programmes including Family Fortunes, Bob's Full House and Bob Says Opportunity Knocks. [citation needed] He came back into fashion during the 1990s, and an appearance on Have I Got News for You helped to restore his popularity.[12]. The golden shots Anne Aston, The man with a million jokes: Bob Monkhouse's legacy examined, Cache in the attic: Bob Monkhouse hid 50,000 comedy videos in his loft, True comedy gold: No one does humour quite like the British, Peter Prichard. It was claimed that Carrs one-liners were very similar to those of Monkhouse due to their brevity, their punchiness [and] their verbal economy. Monkhouse hosted Wipeout from 1998 until a few months before his death in 2003. I saw him live a few years ago and whilst a little 'blue' I couldn't stop laughing at his jokes. Monkhouse was working until six weeks ago, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites, Images from the veteran comic's lengthy career, Bob Monkhouse on Museum of Broadcast Communications, Bob Monkhouse interviewed by Off The Telly.co.uk - May 2003. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends.Tony, Montevettolini, Tuscany, Italy, Images from the veteran comic's lengthy career. Monkhouse escaped after he kneed Hamilton in the groin and ran away but later admitted that he spent nearly six years fearing repercussions. Tony McGinitty, Green Bay, Wisconsin, I was personally saddened at the loss of one of the world's greatest comics and most intelligent funny men. And one of the women goes, `Ooh, un champignon nouveau [meaning] a new mushroom'. This film collection was the cause of a court case at the Old Bailey in 1979. He was a great entertainer. We've lost one of the greatest comics England has ever produced.". Chris Hankins, Pontypool, Gwent, S. Wales, What a sad loss. He always made you laugh and was such a professional. Friends said she never fully recovered from Monkhouse's death from prostate cancer in 2003. This wasnt the only difficulty to beset the comedian. The . God bless his daughter and wife.David Murphy, England, Bob was a class act, his style, his charm and his amazing quick wit will be sadly missed. Jump to content. "He loved showbusiness and showbusiness was lucky to have him. The gun, launcher and camera were props. The former Family Fortune host died at his home in the village of Eggington, near Leighton Buzzard, during the night, he said. Bob Monkhouse dies King of Comedy loses battle with cancer (December 2003) This site closed in March 2021 and is now a read-only archive Previous . Monkhouse was born on 1 June 1928[1] at 168 Bromley Road, Beckenham, Kent, the son of chartered accountant Wilfred Adrian Monkhouse (18941957)[2][3] and Dorothy Muriel Monkhouse (ne Hansard, 18951971). It is only when you hear the likes of Ben Elton, Alexei Sayle and Rik Mayall talking, that you realise how influential Bob Monkhouse was on this new generation of comedians. On Monkhouse's death, the books were bequeathed to Colin Edmonds. Our thoughts and prayers are with his . The show lasted three series and showcased comedians of many generations. In 1972, Monkhouse married Jacqueline, his secretary, who was at his bedside when he died. Am I going to be nasty? Rob Hall, Manchester, He always gave fantastically crisp and sharp responses on any topic. Mr Prichard said the comedian's wife, Jackie, called him shortly after 5am with the news. His manager of 38 years, Peter Prichard OBE, said: "Everybody is grieving. He also became a favourite with impressionists, and, as his comedy style fell out of favour in the 1980s, he was mocked[who?] Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think of this story. Last May he was deeply affected by the death of his son Simon from a. Contents 1 Early life and career 2 Writing and acting success 3 Stand-up comedy 4 Game shows 5 Chat show 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. He added: "The family requests privacy at this very unhappy time.". He made several guest appearances on television shows before he and his comedy partner Denis Goodwin launched their own television series, Fast and Loose, in
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. 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. He was 75. "I saw a specialist who asked me 'Are you familiar with the phrase faecal impaction?' Monkhouse, who died from prostate cancer in 2003, also hosted many popular game shows including Family Fortunes, Celebrity Squares, The Golden Shot and others. 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. Monkhouse died of prostate cancer in 2003. My best wishes go to his family & friends.Stephen, St Erth, Cornwall, One word.LEGEND!! London Cast Recording. In a poll of fellow comedians and comedy insiders to find the Comedians' Comedian in 2005, Monkhouse was voted among the best 50 comedy acts. A day is wasted for me if I haven't done something even mildly creative.". Then I'm a snoot. The couple spent much of their time at their second home in Barbados. My thoughts are with his widow and daughter. "Anyone who understood comedy loved Bob. His true character came out not on the game shows but when on the stage - watch these performances for a taste or real comedy.David, Ashton, England, Thanks for the memory Bob, you will be missed!Jim Poole, Gt Yarmouth. While the comedians career continued to soar, he often admitted that he felt he had no talent and was frustrated that many would only know him as a game show host. Healthy mother-of-two, 32, collapsed and died from brain bleed while she led fitness bounce class. They were returned after 18 months,[10] but the thief, although arrested, was never charged. Then I'm being patronising. The widow of comedian Bob Monkhouse has died suddenly, it has emerged. In 1979 he starred in US sketch comedy television series Bonkers! 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. "I'll never stop working," he once said. It is very, very sad news.". She was his secretary and they married in 1973 after he split from first wife Elizabeth. Despite his fears about being forgotten, he was branded the unlikely hero of modern comedy in a 2015 Telegraph article because his style is reportedly seen in other comedians. Veteran British comedian and television host Bob Monkhouse died today at his Bedfordshire home, his manager said. He was the guv'nor," said Mr Prichard. The former Family Fortune host died at his home in the village of Eggington, near Leighton Buzzard. Bob, you will be missed!Simon Botley, Kuching, Malaysia, We'll miss you. Two video cassettes of my cabaret act and a sea of game shows as valuable as yesterdays Daily Mirror.. Express. Mr Prichard described Monkhouse as "one of the finest men I've ever known. UK Edition Asia Edition Edicin en Espaol. Born in 1928, the young Monkhouse spent his spare time at home in Beckenham writing gags and drawing cartoons. [15], In 2008, the British Film Institute was contacted by Monkhouse's daughter, Abigail, who asked if they would like to view the collection and provide some advice as to the best way of preserving it. If still alive today, Bob would now be 92! "People who hadn't noticed me or who had written me off as a gameshow host started to reassess me. And what other career highlights should you keep an eye out for on the programme? The comedian, entertainer and game show host was the king of light entertainment on BBC and ITV for many viewers. [7] From 1987 to 1989, he hosted three series of the revival of the talent show Opportunity Knocks, which aired as Bob Says Opportunity Knocks. Always charming and self effacing, he never had a bad word to say about any of his colleagues and, unlike some, never ridiculed his public. I'm 33 and he's one of the first faces I can remember seeing on the TV as a child. He had three children from his first marriage, but only his adopted daughter, Abigail, survived him. The late comedian was among Britains top entertainers and is believed to have inspired contemporary funnymen including Jimmy Carr, Michael McIntyre and Peter Kay. The show featured clips from comic silent films, many from his own private collection, some of which he had helped to recover and restore. His manager, Peter Prichard, said the entertainer died peacefully at his Bedfordshire home on Monday morning. Bob was 75 at the time, having marked his birthday some months earlier in June. Monkhouse said: Am I going to be nice? [11] Monkhouse was known as a keen supporter of new comedy and used the show to introduce audiences to new comedians such as Kelly Monteith, Robin Williams and Jim Carrey. 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. I know no one else like him and will probably never find another. 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 marriage ended after 18 years after they had three children - Abigail, Gary and Simon. The hero pulls down his trousers and lies down. Mr Prichard, who was Monkhouse's manager for 38 years, said: "Sadly, I have to announce the death of Bob Monkhouse OBE. Bob Monkhouse, one of the most enduring figures of British comedy, died at his home in Bedfordshire yesterday aged 75. "He was the doyen of English comedy accepted by the fans and by other performers as one of the greats. In 1956, Monkhouse was the host of Do You Trust Your Wife?, the British version of an American game show. He learned Yiddish to get Jewish function bookings and joined all three political parties to get their bookings. "I'm superficial. She then presented a rocket launcher which she promptly 'fired', destroying a camera. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. One of the nicest people in this business, always found time to stop for a chat. Opportunity Knocks (1956), The National Lottery (1994), and many others. And during the later years of his career when most performers slow down that was pretty much the case due to his regular National Lottery hosting job. He was 75. Today is the 17th anniversary of Bob Monkhouses death. Monkhouse's agent of 38 years, Peter Prichard, said . His two sons both died in tragic circumstances, Gary from cerebral palsy and Simon from a heroin overdose. He was diagnosed with the condition in September 2001. He ended by saying, "As a comedian, I've died many deaths. for his slickness and accused of insincerity. Bob was as sharp as any comedian 50 years his junior. The comedian said: I got it when I was 18 or 19. [7], Monkhouse completed his National service with the Royal Air Force in 1948. Robert Alan Monkhouse, one of Britain's best known comedians and game show hosts, died on Dec. 29 from prostate cancer. The funeral of the comedian Bob Monkhouse has been held at Amersham Crematorium in Buckinghamshire. Theyre not laughing now.. After his film collection was returned, Monkhouse confessed that the suspicions werent completely unfounded as he did own one blue movie. This was broadcast live for 52 weeks a year and drew up to 17 million viewers. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Monkhouse was criticised for sycophancy towards his guests but said that they were all heroes of his and that was how he really felt about them. Not only has Bob died today, but a huge chunk of showbusiness has too. ", Monkhouse, 74 at the time, added: "I can still enjoy sex at 74 - I live at 75, so it's no distance.". His support for up-and-coming comedians and his knowledge of the people working in the industry was legendary. He died peacefully in his sleep after a two-and-a-half year battle against prostate cancer, said Peter Prichard. He then moved to ITV to front two more game shows, Bob's Your Uncle and The $64,000 Question, neither of which was a popular success. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. 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. ITV News, 29/12/2003.Not my copyright - just sharing found ephemera. The dozens of other shows Monkhouse presented included Celebrity Squares, Family Fortunes and Bob's Full House. Too ill to contribute the programme instead featured narration and contributions from fellow professionals. He died peacefully in his sleep after losing his two-and-a-half year battle against. This is sad news for British comedy, but I expect Heaven will be a hoot now! The former Family Fortunes host died in his sleep in the early hours at home in the village of Eggington, Bedfordshire, where he lived with his second wife Jackie. She told him: Some people absolutely adore putting on a show, they come back to my parties just to do that.. On one occasion the guest was the comedian Pamela Stephenson, who, after prior arrangement with the show's producer, appeared in a series of fake plaster casts, apparently the result of accidents whilst at home. View Source Share Save to Suggest Edits Memorial Photos Flowers "He was respected by all the other comedians because he was dedicated to his craft - he never stopped making people laugh," Mr Prichard said. Bob was given an OBE for services to entertainment in 1993. "We've lost one of the greatest comics England has ever produced," he said. Monkhouse then returned to quizzes, taking over hosting duties on Wipeout from Paul Daniels when its studio recordings moved from London to Manchester and the show moved from primetime to daytime. 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. [6][bettersourceneeded] While still at school, Monkhouse wrote for The Beano and The Dandy and drew for other comics including Hotspur, Wizard and Adventure. 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.
They don't make them like Bob any more! 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. It's a little one-reeler, French, and made, I should think, sometime in the Twenties.. ", His autobiography, Crying With Laughter, rejuvenated his career in 1993. He was a comedy writer, comedian and actor an. 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. He first appeared on This Is Your Life in 1982 and received a second appearance on the show on 23April 2003, just months before his death. 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. RIP to the Big Man.Sharon, Wales, I'm sad to hear of Bob's untimely death. Monkhouse was married twice, firstly to Elizabeth Thompson on 5 November 1949. As an actor, his credits included Carry On Sergeant and Thunderbirds Are Go! Sergeant Bob Monkhouse died on a patrol that was providing security to enable new roads and security bases to be constructed to the north east of Gereshk. Veteran British comedian and television host Bob Monkhouse died today at his Bedfordshire home, his manager said. Whats it worth to you?. Bob Monkhouse. I'd have paid good money to stay out of here. [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. November 30, 1932 - August 30, 201. He passed away at home in Bedfordshire on December 29 2003. But Monkhouse was probably best known as a host of popular TV game shows including Celebrity Squares and Family Fortunes. Mr Prichard, who was Monkhouse's manager for 38 years, said: "Sadly, I have to announce the death of Bob Monkhouse OBE. ob Monkhouse, the king of television comedy, died today after a long battle against cancer. How do I choose my approach?". An expert on the history of silent cinema and a film collector, Monkhouse presented Mad Movies in 1966. with the Hudson Brothers and Joan Rivers, a job he hated. He was 75. . Speaking of his own sense of loss, Mr Prichard said: "I knew it was coming, but when you get the news you realise we have lost one of the greatest comics that England has ever produced.". The star, one of the UK's best known entertainers, battled prostate and bone cancer for more than two years. And as well as fronting the likes of The Golden Shot,Family Fortunes,Opportunity Knocks, Bobs Full House, Celebrity SquaresandWipeout, he also acted and hosted on the radio. He died peacefully in his sleep after losing his two-and-a-half year battle against cancer, said his manager Peter Prichard. To his presentation and the obvious love he had for the genre. Amongst the discoveries were many radio and TV shows long thought lost. 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. 29/12/2003 One of the country's best-loved comedians, Bob Monkhouse, has died today after a two-year battle with cancer. God bless you, Bob. The Boys from Syracuse. The Independent reported that many assumed he was hoarding porn after the bust but later it was revealed that wasnt the case. Recorded in 2003 live on stage, interspersed with interviews with comedians and celebrities that were in the audience that night. [16] The archive consisted of 36,000 videotapes, going back to when Monkhouse first bought a home video recorder in 1966. The veteran star recalled the strained relationship he had with his son Simon, 46 - who died . Alex Penn, Horsham, Sussex, It was a sad end to year for his family and friends, and an end to a era of one of the greatest comedians to have lived. It was catalogued and restored to digital formats for a major event at British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) on 24 October 2009. He was the host of television game shows including The Golden Shot, Celebrity Squares, Family Fortunes and Wipeout. 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. In 1978 the police raided his Hertfordshire home and seized his collection of 16mm films. You must be at least 18 years old to create an account, Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number, I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from Evening Standard. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. He went on to front Celebrity Squares, Family Fortunes, Bob's Full House, Bob Says Opportunity Knocks and, more recently, the National Lottery Draw. Entdecke Bob Monkhouse Bulmers zum Selbermachen Comedians Kit Vinyl EP Single 33 13 1/min - Werbeaktion in groer Auswahl Vergleichen Angebote und Preise Online kaufen bei eBay Kostenlose Lieferung fr viele Artikel! He asked me to go up on the stage & presented me with a beautiful basket of flowers and got everyone to sing happy birthday. In the 1980's it was "uncool" to like Bob Monkhouse because of the Alternative Comics appearing on the circuit. !Martin, Hebburn, Tyne & Wear, Thanks Bob for having entertained us with your clean sense of humour and sharp wit you will be sadly missed.Baber, London, England, A true professional and a charming man whose humour managed to connect generations. A Bob Monkhouse impersonator is so good fans keep thinking the comedy legend is still alive. He wrote, produced, financed and syndicated the show worldwide. 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. Though not a great fan, you always brightened up the TV screen whenever you appeared on it. I had seen his show the previous evening and he was brilliant. Remarkably, he featured in an advert concerning prostate cancer over three years. He said: "The publicity shots I've done look pretty . Amongst shows rediscovered were many featuring Monkhouse himself, including The Flip Side, a 1966 play in which he starred as a television DJ with his own late-night show, and the 195758 series of his comedy My Pal Bob, including an episode in which he is suspected of an extramarital affair. His two sons both died in tragic circumstances, Gary from cerebral palsy and Simon from a heroin overdose. By the time he was 27 he was a star. Robert Alan Monkhouse OBE (1 June 1928 - 29 December 2003) was an English comedian, writer and actor. He was the host of television game shows including The Golden Shot, Celebrity Squares, Family Fortunes and Wipeout . 17,029 pages were read in the last minute. Police went into his home after he had been wrongly accused of breaching copyright laws and later the case was dismissed. His death has come to a very big shock to me and I will miss him very much. His two sons both died in tragic circumstances - Gary from cerebral palsy and Simon from a heroin overdose. Indeed, when Goodwin broke up the partnership in 1962, it was to work for Hope.[11]. British Academy of Film and Television Arts, Officer of the Order of the British Empire, "Trace your Family Tree Online Genealogy & Ancestry from Findmypast findmypast.com", "The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography", "King Arthur, Attila the Hun and BobMonkhouse", "Bob Monkhouse A much-loved comedian and television personality who could also inspire harsh criticism", "BBC fooled into giving Bob his big break", https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/arid-30127387.html, "Modern comedy's unlikely hero: Bob Monkhouse", "Winning Entry in CBS Outdoor 'Underground Writer' competition 2008", "CBS Outdoor announces The Communications Agency as "The Next Great Underground Writers", A review of Dying On Stage, a stage play loosely based on Bob Monkhouse's life and career, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bob_Monkhouse&oldid=1136446727, Freemasons of the United Grand Lodge of England, Officers of the Order of the British Empire, People from Central Bedfordshire District, Wikipedia articles incorporating a citation from the ODNB, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox person with multiple spouses, Articles lacking reliable references from September 2018, All articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases, Articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases from December 2021, Articles with unsourced statements from December 2021, Articles with unsourced statements from September 2021, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 30 January 2023, at 10:01. And she goes to pluck the mushroom and continues plucking it for about five minutes.". The TV career of one of Britain's bestloved entertainers began in 1947, when he appeared with comic partner Denis Goodwin. One of his biggest successes was The Golden Shot from July 1967 until January 1972 and again from July 1974 to April 1975. He also acted in the Carry On films. Read more: Gemma Arterton in Black Narcissus: Bond girls raunchiest roles as nun drama gets sexy. Shine on. With Bob Monkhouse, Mike Yarwood, Fiona Allen, Jon Culshaw. What's it worth to you?" In one gag, Monkhouse quipped: They laughed when I said I wanted to be a comedian. When do the clocks change in 2023? Bob Monkhouse was one of the most treasured personalities on British TV for decades. One more star has disappeared from the British theatres and TVs. He died peacefully in his sleep with his wife Jackie at his side, said his manager of 38 years, Peter Prichard. [10] His tenure ended with allegations, which he denied, that he had taken bribes to include branded goods on the programme as advertisements. In a piece written several years after Monkhouse's death, critic and satirist Michael Deacon suggested that although Monkhouse had feared that his legacy as a comedian would be limited, as many people knew him only from his decades of work as a game-show host, his style of writing and performing could be seen as influencing many contemporary British comedians, such as Jimmy Carr (whose book on comedy The Naked Jape quoted several Monkhouse jokes), Michael McIntyre, Peter Kay, John Bishop, Lee Mack and Tim Vine.[18]. It involved an implant in his stomach and a daily pill which allowed him to keep on working. He married Jackie, his former secretary in 1973. 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. The couple separated in 1967[19] and divorced in 1972. David Ismay, a friend of Monkhouse, said the family would not be releasing any details about Friday's service. He was often self-deprecating and admitted he was not an original comic genius. He added: "The family requests privacy at this very unhappy time.". He worked a punishing schedule. 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]. He even managed to joke about his disease, saying last year: "I call it the Taliban because it's the enemy within. US Edition Change. Mr Prichard described Monkhouse as "one of the finest men I've ever known". A Great Legacy
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