Thank you for your tributes to Bob Monkhouse. Read more: Gemma Arterton in Black Narcissus: Bond girls raunchiest roles as nun drama gets sexy. He even managed to joke about his disease, saying last year: "I call it the Taliban because it's the enemy within. The former Family Fortune host died at his home in the village of Eggington, near Leighton Buzzard, during the night, he said. RIP sir.Tony Wallace, Nottingham, As a professional musician, I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Bob on several occasions. I always enjoyed his 'Smooth' act and his (sometimes v. naughty) innuendos. 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. 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. His parents hoped he would join the family's custard business, but Bob and his friend Denis Goodwin had other plans. He passed away at home in Bedfordshire on December 29 2003. 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 one of the few men that could make me cringe, get me mad, cry (with laughter) and have me laughing until it hurts. Mr Prichard, who was Monkhouse's manager for 38 years, said: "Sadly, I have to announce the death of Bob Monkhouse OBE. Last May he was deeply affected by the death of his son Simon from a. It involved an implant in his stomach and a daily pill which allowed him to keep on working. He seemed to be a lesson to us all in how to keep smiling through adversity. Famed for his quick wit and ready oneliners, Monkhouse became one of Britain's highest-paid TV stars, and was awarded the OBE in 1993 for his services to showbusiness. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, Bob Monkhouse. 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. Monkhouse once said: "I'll never stop working. He recalled: Two quite attractive women in Marie Antoinette-type outfits are coming through a field. Sign up for exclusive newsletters, comment on stories, enter competitions and attend events. He married Jackie, his former secretary in 1973. Monkhouse leaves a daughter, Abigail. Aside from performing as a double act, Monkhouse and Goodwin wrote for comedians such as Arthur Askey, Jimmy Edwards, Ted Ray and Max Miller. Bob, you will be missed!Simon Botley, Kuching, Malaysia, We'll miss you. 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. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. Shine on. After a difficult life with the death of both of his sons, his own demise is a terrible loss and commiserations should be extended to his family. He was 75. There are many incredible finds, and the event [is] an exciting time for all concerned.". 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. Opportunity Knocks (1956), The National Lottery (1994), and many others. "People who hadn't noticed me or who had written me off as a gameshow host started to reassess me. This wasnt the only difficulty to beset the comedian. ", 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. But when did the TV star leave us? [25] Using computer animation techniques and a sound-alike actor, Monkhouse was seen in a graveyard next to his own grave (though in reality he was cremated) talking about the disease seriously, interspersed with humorous asides to another camera ("What killed me kills one man per hour in Britain. He worked a punishing schedule. Indeed, when Goodwin broke up the partnership in 1962, it was to work for Hope.[11]. I've admired and taken a keen interest in him since. The Golden Shot,Family Fortunes,Opportunity Knocks, Bobs Full House, Celebrity SquaresandWipeout, he also acted and hosted on the radio. Photograph: Andy Butterton/PA. They don't make them like Bob any more! I nervously approached him and immediately could sense the warmth and sincerity of this man. I first caught sight of him in the morning as I was entering the hotel to book in with my party. My recovery has been dramatic and I'm ready to go back to work.". Read more: Nick McGlashan death: Police reveal possibility of drug involvement. B ob Monkhouse, the king of television comedy, died today after a long battle against cancer. I wouldn't know what to do if I retired anyway.". ", Monkhouse, 74 at the time, added: "I can still enjoy sex at 74 - I live at 75, so it's no distance.". Monkhouse was said to have been furious by the discovery and stormed out, only to be confronted by Ms Dors. He was 75. His manager of 38 years, Peter Prichard OBE, said: "Everybody is grieving. What are some of his most memorable career moments? Monkhouse, who lives in a Tudor farmhouse in Bedfordshire, has also suffered encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain. A day is wasted for me if I haven't done something even mildly creative.". 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. The next day I saw him sunbathing on Hayling Island beach alongside his enormous Pontiac car. 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. Bob Monkhouse: The Last Stand: Directed by Mark Lucey. Veteran British comedian and television host Bob Monkhouse died today at his Bedfordshire home, his manager said. Robert Alan "Bob" Monkhouse, OBE (1st June 1928 - 29th December 2003) was an English entertainer and comedian. Thanks for the memories Bob, your wit and devilment was a wonderful gift you shared with all. 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. Mr Prichard, who was Monkhouse's manager for 38 years, said: "Sadly, I . LK 4564. He wrote, produced, financed and syndicated the show worldwide. Monkhouse was married twice, firstly to Elizabeth Thompson on 5 November 1949. The show was broadcast by the BBC in 2016 and again in November 2019 and April 2020. "He was the doyen of English comedy accepted by the fans and by other performers as one of the greats. 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. 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. Bob Monkhouse. 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. His manager, Peter Prichard, said the entertainer died peacefully at his. Monkhouse's agent of 38 years, Peter Prichard, said . The veteran star recalled the strained relationship he had with his son Simon, 46 - who died . [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. 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.". READ MORE: America's Got Talent star Scott Alexander dies after suffering sudden stroke. 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. 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. 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. Prepare for peak pothole season! Monkhouse also appeared in 12 films including Carry On Sergeant. 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. A Channel 5 show about Bob Monkhouses life and work airs tonight (Tuesday, December 29). Mr Prichard described Monkhouse as "one of the finest men I've ever known". 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. On 12 June 2007, Monkhouse posthumously appeared on British TV in an advertisement promoting awareness of prostate cancer for Male Cancer Awareness Week. I saw him live a few years ago and whilst a little 'blue' I couldn't stop laughing at his jokes. A Great Entertainer Read our, {{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}. 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. 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. The Boys from Syracuse. He went on to host more than 30 quiz shows on British television. 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. EXCLUSIVE: Lanzarote sticks to its guns and insists it WILL limit tourists and move away from relying on Jeremy Clarkson DENIES he has been sacked as Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? Veteran British comedian and television host Bob Monkhouse has died after a long battle with prostate cancer. What's it worth to you?" Monkhouse died aged 75 after being one of Britain's top comedians for more than four decades. She then presented a rocket launcher which she promptly 'fired', destroying a camera. Morning as I was entering the hotel to book in with my party Marie Antoinette-type outfits are coming through field!, direct from the Guardian every morning, Bob Monkhouse died today after a long battle prostate... Whilst a little 'blue ' I could n't stop laughing at his jokes Sadly, I smiling through adversity sexy. Was to work for Hope. [ 11 ] has died after a battle... 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