My thoughts are with his widow and daughter. The fledgling comedian was soon appearing on radio and TV as "the British Bob Hope, for whom he had originally written jokes. He died peacefully in his sleep after a two-and-a-half year battle. He was the guv'nor," said Mr Prichard. He will be greatly missed.Dave Shaw, Leamington Spa, "Improv" comedy was presented as something new a decade ago, but Bob was a faster thinker than anyone for as long as anyone can remember. The star, one of the UK's best known entertainers, battled prostate and bone cancer for more than two years. I only 'discovered' his magic some 4 years ago but am so glad I did. In Jimmy Carrs 2006 book The Naked Jape, he cited some of Monkhouses jokes. Brian Wickings, Worthing, England, I have grown up watching Bob Monkhouse, and he will be sorely missed, he was a legend in his own right and although I may only be 23 myself, my friends and I agree that this comedy genius will be remembered and praised for years to come such as the likes of Bob Hope and Morecambe and Wise. His two sons both died in tragic circumstances - Gary from cerebral palsy and Simon from a heroin overdose. He recalled: Two quite attractive women in Marie Antoinette-type outfits are coming through a field. Born in Beckenham, south London, in June 1928, Monkhouse developed his talent for comedy while a pupil at nearby Dulwich College. 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]. 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 was diagnosed with the condition in September 2001. 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. 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. Mr Monkhouse had a long and successful career in showbusiness and had hosted hundreds of television shows. So long Bob.. 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. The former Family Fortune host died at his home in the village of Eggington, near Leighton Buzzard, during the night, he said. 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. [6][bettersourceneeded] While still at school, Monkhouse wrote for The Beano and The Dandy and drew for other comics including Hotspur, Wizard and Adventure. Monkhouse, a self-professed cinephile, had a projection booth and an eight-foot-wide screen that descended from the ceiling. "All I have is a perky mind," he said. 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. As well as two sons, they had an adopted daughter, Abigail, who gave him two granddaughters. Theyre not laughing now.. Some of his older work like The Golden Shot and Family Fortunes have been kept alive through satellite TV and archive shows, and they will forever remain classics - a measure of how talented a host he was.John, Scotland, If it were possible to study for a Phd in Comedy - Bob Monkhouse should have been awarded an honorary doctorate. Our thoughts are particularly with his wife Jackie and daughter Abigail at this very sad time. Monkhouse, who died from prostate cancer in 2003, also hosted many popular game shows including Family Fortunes, Celebrity Squares, The Golden Shot and others. "I want to die in the saddle. In July 1995 two were stolen, and Monkhouse offered a 15,000 reward. Comic Simon Cartwright did a play as him years after his death and people thought it was the real deal. Bob Monkhouse was one of the most treasured personalities on British TV for decades. Dick Fiddy, the archivist, said: "It's a huge, unwieldy collection which deals with a number of areas. In 1978 the police raided his Hertfordshire home and seized his collection of 16mm films. [7] He established a comics writing and art partnership with Dulwich schoolmate Denis Gifford and the two formed their own publishing company, Streamline, in the early 1950s. My best wishes to his wife and family.Chris Curry, Newport, South Wales, From the pasty young dentist alongside Leslie Phillips (in black & white) to the man with the tan and the wry grin with some 'News for You', Bob will be missed not only for his consummate professionalism, but more perhaps for his generosity in both giving of money, for which he was well known, and of his own time and effort, which went generally unsung. Monkhouse's grandfather John Monkhouse (18621938) was a prosperous Methodist businessman who co-founded Monk and Glass, which made custard powder and jelly. He was 75. By the time he left Dulwich College at 17 he had a thriving cottage industry as a gagwriter, cartoonist and purveyor of pulp fiction. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. I first caught sight of him in the morning as I was entering the hotel to book in with my party. Within its pages, he detailed that he had taken part in an orgy and had an affair with the actress Diana Dors, who was considered the British Marilyn Monroe. The show lasted three series and showcased comedians of many generations. Comedian Bob Monkhouse dies of cancer at the age of 75. We've lost one of the greatest comics England has ever produced.". Veteran British comedian and television host Bob Monkhouse has died at his Bedfordshire home aged 75. [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]. Thanks for the memories Bob, your wit and devilment was a wonderful gift you shared with all. Id have paid good money to stay out of here. In his later years, Monkhouse was probably better known for hosting television quiz shows than for being a comedian. Robert Alan Monkhouse, one of Britain's best known comedians and game show hosts, died on Dec. 29 from prostate cancer. His manager, Peter Prichard, said the entertainer died peacefully at his. 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. The London Gazette, 21 February 1958, p. 1258. Bob - you shall be sorely missed as an asset to the craft. He died peacefully in his sleep after losing his two-and-a-half year battle against. He married Jackie, his former secretary in 1973. During the confrontation, he allegedly held a cut-throat razor to the comedians face and told him: Im going to slit your eyeballs!. Robert Alan "Bob" Monkhouse, OBE (1st June 1928 - 29th December 2003) was an English entertainer and comedian. 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. By Neil Wilkes. 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. And what other career highlights should you keep an eye out for on the programme? In 1972, Monkhouse married Jacqueline, his secretary, who was at his bedside when he died. The marriage ended after 18 years after they had three children - Abigail, Gary and Simon. David Ismay, a friend of Monkhouse, said the family would not be releasing any details about Friday's service. He had three children from his first marriage, but only his adopted daughter, Abigail, survived him. But Monkhouse was probably best known as a host of popular TV game shows including Celebrity Squares and Family Fortunes. 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. before walking away from his grave and disappearing. This was broadcast live for 52 weeks a year and drew up to 17 million viewers. The dozens of other shows Monkhouse presented included Celebrity Squares, Family Fortunes and Bob's Full House. British comedian Bob Monkhouse, who wrote jokes for Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra in a 50-year showbusiness career, died on Monday aged 75, his manager said. In 1956, Monkhouse was the host of Do You Trust Your Wife?, the British version of an American game show. I had the chance to see him in concert in the early '90s and it was only then that I realised exactly how funny this man was. Monkhouse, an acknowledged expert on the early cinema, lived in a 16th century farmhouse. He suffered very badly at times with it but he carried on. 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. Jump to content. His second marriage, to Jacqueline Harding, lasted until his death. The couple spent much of their time at their second home in Barbados. He died peacefully in his sleep with his wife Jackie at his side, said his manager of 38 years, Peter Prichard. Monkhouse, who lives in a Tudor farmhouse in Bedfordshire, has also suffered encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain. [7], Monkhouse completed his National service with the Royal Air Force in 1948. Chris Perry, of Kaleidoscope and Kaleidoscope Publishing, said: "We are painstakingly transferring the important contents of the video tapes and restoring radio shows. 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. Monkhouse leaves a daughter, Abigail. Though not a great fan, you always brightened up the TV screen whenever you appeared on it. In the 1980's it was "uncool" to like Bob Monkhouse because of the Alternative Comics appearing on the circuit. He became much in demand as an after-dinner speaker and wrote a book about the subject, Just Say a Few Words (Lennard Publishing, 1988, 1999). On Monkhouse's death, the books were bequeathed to Colin Edmonds. His posthumous appearance involved computer animation and a voiceover from another actor. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. 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. [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. He always made you laugh and was such a professional. 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). Indeed, when Goodwin broke up the partnership in 1962, it was to work for Hope.[11]. I once met Bob Monkhouse 20 years ago in a lift in a Blackpool hotel when he was on his way to a stage performance. In 1995, he poked fun at his legacy when he told the Independent: What will I leave behind me? The Golden Shot,Family Fortunes,Opportunity Knocks, Bobs Full House, Celebrity SquaresandWipeout, he also acted and hosted on the radio. 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. My best wishes go to his family & friends.Stephen, St Erth, Cornwall, One word.LEGEND!! Bob, you will be missed!Simon Botley, Kuching, Malaysia, We'll miss you. 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]. 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). UK Edition Asia Edition Edicin en Espaol. 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. This talent was used in Bob Monkhouse On the Spot, a return to pure television comedy, in which audience members suggested topics and Monkhouse came up with a routine. [4][10] In addition, they were gag writers for American comedians including Bob Hope, supplying jokes for British tours. US Edition Change. Monkhouse once said: "I'll never stop working. His other son, Simon, a stand-up poet, from whom he had been estranged for 13 years, died aged 46 from a heroin overdose in a hotel in northern Thailand in April 2001.[4][20]. He was a comedy writer, comedian and actor an. 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. It's a little one-reeler, French, and made, I should think, sometime in the Twenties.. He died peacefully in his sleep after losing his two-and-a-half year battle against cancer, said Peter Prichard. Thanks Bob, for years of quick-fire laughs.Stu, France, The ultimate hard working entertainer, who brought joy and laughter to all those who loved his quick fire humour. Bob was the greatest comic/entertainer/game show host this country has ever seen. In the last programme Bob Monkhouse ever worked on before he died he picked all his favourite comedy clips from his lifetime. Veteran comedian Bob Monkhouse told of the devastating effect the death of his youngest son had on him. He had an encyclopaedic capacity for recalling gags and one liners and could play to many different audiences. Never short of a joke or quip. I know no one else like him and will probably never find another. Among them were many treasures which had previously been believed to be lost to the nation. ob Monkhouse, the king of television comedy, died today after a long battle against cancer. He worked with many l e g e n d a r y names in sh owb u s i --ness, including-Tommy Cooper, Benny Hill and Frankie Howerd. Monkhouse's other son, Gary, who suffered from cerebral palsy, died in 1993. He went on to front Celebrity Squares, Family Fortunes, Bob's Full House, Bob Says Opportunity Knocks and, more recently, the National Lottery Draw. 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. This is sad news for British comedy, but I expect Heaven will be a hoot now! Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think of this story. The . She told him: Some people absolutely adore putting on a show, they come back to my parties just to do that.. The veteran comedian, whose showbusiness career spanned more than half a century, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in September 2001. To his presentation and the obvious love he had for the genre. He learned Yiddish to get Jewish function bookings and joined all three political parties to get their bookings. He wrote, produced, financed and syndicated the show worldwide. Veteran British comedian and television host Bob Monkhouse died today at his Bedfordshire home, his manager said. "I saw a specialist who asked me 'Are you familiar with the phrase faecal impaction?' Veteran British comedian and television host Bob Monkhouse has died after a long battle with prostate cancer. Monkhouse was said to have been furious by the discovery and stormed out, only to be confronted by Ms Dors. [16] The archive consisted of 36,000 videotapes, going back to when Monkhouse first bought a home video recorder in 1966. Later Monkhouse and Ms Dors had an affair, which sparked fury after it was discovered by her husband Dennis Hamilton. Bob Monkhouse was educated at Goring Hall School in Worthing, Sussex, and Dulwich College in south London, from which he was expelled for climbing the clock tower. 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The British entertainment world is mourning comedian Bob Monkhouse, who has died aged 75. 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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. One of the brightest lights just went out on the Christmas tree," he said. 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. Veteran British comedian and television host Bob Monkhouse has died at his Bedfordshire home aged 75. Among other writing, Monkhouse wrote more than 100 Harlem Hotspots erotic novelettes. I had seen his show the previous evening and he was brilliant. The last programme Bob Monkhouse told of the Alternative comics appearing on radio and as. Two granddaughters programme Bob Monkhouse ever worked on before he died peacefully in his sleep after losing his two-and-a-half battle! Asset to the craft of 38 years, Peter Prichard were stolen, and Monkhouse offered a 15,000 reward play! 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