Bob Monkhouse

A tribute to the joke powerhouse that will never be as interesting as reading his somewhat upfront autobiography, Crying With Laughter. As with so many comic biographies, the tragedy behind the showbiz is focused on here but scant mention is made of writing partner Denis Goodwin, save to say he rather faded in comparison to his more screen-friendly wingman and committed suicide some years after their partnership broke up. Monkhouse's only surviving child, his adopted daughter Abigail, provides the most telling commentary on what seems a rather unquiet life.

Modern comedy's unlikely hero: Bob Monkhouse

Ahead of an ITV tribute, we look at how today's comics owe much to a master joke-teller.

Radio review: All Round Bob Monkhouse

A fascinating insight into the 'slightly too slick' game-show host.

The title alludes to the many talents of Bob Monkhouse, cartoonist, comedian, film fanatic, game show host, actor, writer. He was also, as he once revealed on In the Psychiatrist's Chair, heir to a custard manufacturing fortune who gave up the family firm for the footlights, a struggle with himself that made him more complicated and vulnerable than his public persona projected. Barry Cryer narrates this careful and well-judged documentary in which an unusually wide range of interviewees testify to his wit, slickness, versatility - and kindness.

Barry Cryer remembers his friend Bob Monkhouse

Bob was one of a kind and he was very much aware of this.

A worthwhile repeat of this episode from Channel 4's 1998 series Heroes of Comedy about Benny Hill, a comic who managed the trick of being popular on both sides of the Atlantic. And he didn't stop there: Hill had fans from China and Russia too. As he once observed of his visual humour: "I can get my face slapped in six languages." This tribute captures the man behind the bawdy "seaside postcard" humour: the shy, humble loner. With clips from his shows and contributions from Bob Monkhouse and Barry Took.