All Round Bob Monkhouse

Barry Cryer celebrates the fascinating life of his friend Bob Monkhouse, a consummate professional, whose public persona never once revealed his private heartaches.

Star of film, TV and radio, stand-up comedian, game show presenter, joke writer for Bob Hope - the list goes on and in this programme Barry profiles Bob's remarkable career and contrasts it with his personal problems off stage and screen.

Bob was one of the best stand-up comedians of his generation, but to many he was king of the game show. Along with Bruce Forsyth, he made the genre his own. He had a gift for putting people at their ease while remaining completely in control.

The programme examines Bob the actor, noting his appearances in everything from the very first Carry On film, through sitcom, to an episode of Jonathan Creek. Barry also recalls how in 1979, Bob's classic comedy film collection landed him in court and how he made the news again, a few years later, when his joke books were stolen!

Behind the famous smile, Bob's private life was sometimes turbulent and this programme traces his off-screen tribulations, and examines, with some of those who worked with him at the time, his bravery in front of the cameras.

All Round Bob Monkhouse includes classic clips and interviews with Bob himself from the BBC's extensive archive collection. Contributors including Denis Norden, Bradley Walsh, Anita Harris, Ted Robbins, Sheila Steafel, Jimmy Cricket and Tom Edwards (Bob's friend and voiceover man on Wipeout) are united by one word throughout - "genius".