Our thoughts are particularly with his wife Jackie and daughter Abigail at this very sad time. "Anyone who understood comedy loved Bob. He was 75. 29/12/2003 One of the country's best-loved comedians, Bob Monkhouse, has died today after a two-year battle with cancer. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.Alana Sinclair, New Zealand, Bob Monkhouse was a giant in the entertainment business. 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. 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. One more star has disappeared from the British theatres and TVs. The hero pulls down his trousers and lies down. Around 1969 he was a partner, with Malcolm Mitchell, in the Mitchell Monkhouse Agency. Monkhouse, a self-professed cinephile, had a projection booth and an eight-foot-wide screen that descended from the ceiling. 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. When do the clocks change in 2023? Monkhouse leaves a daughter, Abigail. A real comedian and personality in the original sense of the word. He has been a comedy presence all my life and will be missed. He would arrive at any function or cabaret with specially written, individual material for every occasion," said fellow entertainer Des O'Connor. Bless you, Bob.John, South Wales, Fifteen years ago I met Bob in person in a hotel in Stoke-on-Trent. He died peacefully in his sleep after losing his two-and-a-half year battle against cancer, said Peter Prichard. Monkhouse's other son, Gary, who suffered from cerebral palsy, died in 1993. He went to Saint Michael's School in Pinner and died in Braintree, Essex, in 1992, aged 40. And at the same time, for five years from 1998, he also presented popular game show Wipeout. 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. Soon after, the then-24-year-old comedian realised that there was a false mirror on the ceiling and that other party guests were watching behind it. Read a selection of your e-mails below. Bob Monkhouse's Comedy Heroes: Directed by Willy Smax. He added: "The family requests privacy at this very unhappy time.". 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She was his secretary and they married in 1973 after he split from first wife Elizabeth. Bob Monkhouse: Master of Laughter airs at 9pm tonight on Channel 5. 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. The show was broadcast by the BBC in 2016 and again in November 2019 and April 2020. Born in 1928, the young Monkhouse spent his spare time at home in Beckenham writing gags and drawing cartoons. LK 4564. JUST IN:The man with a million jokes: Bob Monkhouse's legacy examined. Mr Prichard described Monkhouse as "one of the finest men I've ever known". 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. Monkhouse's agent of 38 years, Peter Prichard, said . He was appearing in south sea with Yana. Bob died peacefully in his sleep this morning at his home after a lengthy battle with cancer.". [26][27] Money raised went to the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation.[28]. 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. You can opt-out at any time by signing in to your account to manage your preferences. He was diagnosed with the condition in September 2001. Monkhouse once said: "I'll never stop working. In the 1970s, a daily newspaper conducted a poll in which the stand-up comic and game-show host Bob Monkhouse, who has died from cancer aged 75, emerged as the third most popular performer on. Story Saved You can find this story in My Bookmarks. The former Family Fortune host died at his home in the village of Eggington, near Leighton Buzzard, during the night, he said. Veteran British comedian and television host Bob Monkhouse has died at his Bedfordshire home aged 75. In Jimmy Carrs 2006 book The Naked Jape, he cited some of Monkhouses jokes. B ob Monkhouse, the king of television comedy, died today after a long battle against cancer. The former Family Fortune host died at his home in the village of Eggington, near Leighton Buzzard. 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. Simon, a teacher, had a history of depression. Died December 29, 2003 (75) Add to list Awards 2 wins Photos Known for Dentist in the Chair 5.0 Writer 1960 Carry on Sergeant 6.3 Charlie Sage 1958 The Big Noise TV Series Writer 1964 6 eps Dentist on the Job 5.2 Writer 1961 Credits Edit Writer27 Actor32 Music Department1 Additional Crew1 Self135 I guess what really sums up Bob for me was that despite some of the crude and crass humour that exists on today's television, Bob never sunk to that level to get a laugh, he was the consummate professional, and was a "Family" entertainer which in today's world of comedy is a rare treasure. [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. One of British TV's most popular performers with a career that spanned over four decades, funny-man Bob . Having lent Terry Wogan's son a film, Monkhouse was charged with attempting to defraud film distributors of royalties, but after two years the judge decided that there was no case to answer. His parents hoped he would join the family's custard business, but Bob and his friend Denis Goodwin had other plans. Nobody since has done it like Bob. 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. "He's one of the bravest men I've met. The show lasted three series and showcased comedians of many generations. He worked a punishing schedule. I've admired and taken a keen interest in him since. Bob was also a Royal Variety Performance staple and hosted numerous chat shows with his name attached. I saw him live a few years ago and whilst a little 'blue' I couldn't stop laughing at his jokes. He went on to host more than 30 quiz shows on British television. It's a little one-reeler, French, and made, I should think, sometime in the Twenties.. Whats it worth to you?. Basically my prostate exploded like a firework and distributed the Taliban throughout my system. The veteran comedian, whose showbusiness career spanned more than half a century, was. 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. Bob - you shall be sorely missed as an asset to the craft. [9], Monkhouse began his adult career as a scriptwriter for radio comedy in partnership with Denis Goodwin, a fellow Old Alleynian with whom he also compred Smash Hits on Radio Luxembourg. He will always be near the top of my fave comedians and famous people list. But Monkhouse was probably best known as a host of popular TV game shows including Celebrity Squares and Family Fortunes. Monkhouse also appeared in 12 films including Carry On Sergeant. He went on to front Celebrity Squares, Family Fortunes, Bob's Full House, Bob Says Opportunity Knocks and, more recently, the National Lottery Draw. [7], Monkhouse completed his National service with the Royal Air Force in 1948. The couple spent much of their time at their second home in Barbados. His two sons both died in tragic circumstances - Gary from cerebral palsy and Simon from a heroin overdose. 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). God bless you Bob and thanks for the memories. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? [7] His widow, Jacqueline, suffered a heart attack and died in Barbados on 28 March 2008.[24]. I will miss him so much and feel very deeply for his family as I have just lost my mother to cancer. Monkhouse once said: "I'll never stop working. Prostate cancer, I dont recommend. What a sad loss. One of his biggest successes was The Golden Shot from July 1967 until January 1972 and again from July 1974 to April 1975. A Man Already Greatly Missed. 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 had three children from his first marriage, but only his adopted daughter, Abigail, survived him. "I want to die in the saddle. He always made you laugh and was such a professional. Mr Prichard described Monkhouse as "one of the finest men I've ever known. Monkhouse had an elder brother, John, who was born in 1922. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, Bob Monkhouse. Jackie Monkhouse, 71, was found by her maid at her home in Barbados. 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. Chris Perry, of Kaleidoscope and Kaleidoscope Publishing, said: "We are painstakingly transferring the important contents of the video tapes and restoring radio shows. Too ill to contribute the programme instead featured narration and contributions from fellow professionals. Browse Bob Monkhouse movies and TV shows available on Prime Video and begin streaming right away to . With Julia Sawalha, Lucille Ball, Michael Barrymore, Jackie Clune. His two sons both died in tragic circumstances - Gary from cerebral palsy and Simon from a heroin overdose. Taking Vitamin D each day could cut your chances of getting dementia, study claims. Read more: Gemma Arterton in Black Narcissus: Bond girls raunchiest roles as nun drama gets sexy. View Source Share Save to Suggest Edits Memorial Photos Flowers 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.". I wouldn't know what to do if I retired anyway.". Bob was as sharp as any comedian 50 years his junior. Am I going to be nasty? Monkhouse's grandfather John Monkhouse (18621938) was a prosperous Methodist businessman who co-founded Monk and Glass, which made custard powder and jelly. 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. Enter your password to log in. By the time he left Dulwich College at 17 he had a thriving cottage industry as a gagwriter, cartoonist and purveyor of pulp fiction. We've lost one of the greatest comics England has ever produced.". Bob Monkhouse, the comedian who died yesterday aged 75, became synonymous with television game shows, playing the unctuous host to more than 30 different programmes that, like him . He will never be forgotten.Luke Cumiskey, La Paz, Bolivia, In my early days of watching TV, I always thought of Bob Monkhouse as being a product of my parents' generation, harking back to the Musical Hall and old style cabaret days. Our thoughts and prayers are with his . Monkhouse escaped after he kneed Hamilton in the groin and ran away but later admitted that he spent nearly six years fearing repercussions. He was a great entertainer. You were one of the best.Haydn Jones, Prestatyn, Denbighshire. He later told his friend Colin Edmonds that this may have been a mistake, but that he wanted to be associated with a winner and he knew Margaret Thatcher could not lose the 1987 general election. He only got back on terms with his mother after 20 years, shortly before she died. [10] His tenure ended with allegations, which he denied, that he had taken bribes to include branded goods on the programme as advertisements. Recorded in 2003 live on stage, interspersed with interviews with comedians and celebrities that were in the audience that night. 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. The veteran comedian, whose showbusiness career spanned more than half a century, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in September 2001. 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. [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. Mr Prichard said he was "choked" to deliver "the very, very sad news". Opportunity Knocks (1956), The National Lottery (1994), and many others. The comedian said: I got it when I was 18 or 19. His loss is like losing a beloved family member. "Bob was a major entertainment figure for nearly half a century with both the BBC and ITV," he said. 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. God Bless You BOB! ", Monkhouse, 74 at the time, added: "I can still enjoy sex at 74 - I live at 75, so it's no distance.". 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. He is an example to us all.John Bartram, Margate, Sad news - especially at this time of year. 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. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Monkhouse, who died from prostate cancer in 2003, also hosted many popular game shows including Family Fortunes, Celebrity Squares, The Golden Shot and others. Every word he spoke was so close to truth and honesty and was glossed with his unique style of wit and humour. 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