Today is the 17th anniversary of Bob Monkhouses death. He went on to host more than 30 quiz shows on British television. Veteran British comedian and television host Bob Monkhouse has died at his Bedfordshire home aged 75. 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. Bob Monkhouse dies King of Comedy loses battle with cancer (December 2003) This site closed in March 2021 and is now a read-only archive Previous . Police went into his home after he had been wrongly accused of breaching copyright laws and later the case was dismissed. Jump to content. He even managed to joke about his disease, saying last year: "I call it the Taliban because it's the enemy within. A day is wasted for me if I haven't done something even mildly creative.". The veteran comedian, whose showbusiness career spanned more than half a century, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in September 2001. He was 75. After his death, tributes were paid by many figures in the world of entertainment. Remarkably, he featured in an advert concerning prostate cancer over three years following his death. Around 1969 he was a partner, with Malcolm Mitchell, in the Mitchell Monkhouse Agency. Our thoughts and prayers are with his . Further scandal emerged in Monkhouses later years when he published his autobiography Crying With Laughter in 1993. On 12 June 2007, Monkhouse posthumously appeared on British TV in an advertisement promoting awareness of prostate cancer for Male Cancer Awareness Week. applies equally to Bob Monkhouse. [7] From 1987 to 1989, he hosted three series of the revival of the talent show Opportunity Knocks, which aired as Bob Says Opportunity Knocks. The funeral of the comedian Bob Monkhouse has been held at Amersham Crematorium in Buckinghamshire. I want to die in the saddle. [10] His tenure ended with allegations, which he denied, that he had taken bribes to include branded goods on the programme as advertisements. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, Bob Monkhouse. An expert on the history of silent cinema and a film collector, Monkhouse presented Mad Movies in 1966. His two sons both died in tragic circumstances - Gary from cerebral palsy and Simon from a heroin overdose. Monkhouse later became a game show host, fronting programmes including Family Fortunes, Bob's Full House and Bob Says Opportunity Knocks. Mr Prichard, who was Monkhouse's manager for 38 years, said: "Sadly, I have to announce the death of Bob Monkhouse OBE. Bob was the greatest comic/entertainer/game show host this country has ever seen. Bob - you shall be sorely missed as an asset to the craft. The former Family Fortune host died at his home in the village of Eggington, near Leighton Buzzard, during the night, he said. How do I choose my approach?". After being a stalwart of chat shows, in the mid-1980s Monkhouse presented his own for the BBC, The Bob Monkhouse Show. He won a contract with the BBC after his unwitting RAF group captain signed a letter that Monkhouse had written telling the BBC he was a war hero and that the corporation should give him an audition. 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. He had an encyclopaedic capacity for recalling gags and one liners and could play to many different audiences. You must be at least 18 years old to create an account, Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number, I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from Evening Standard. 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. Now I know how brave Bob Monkhouse was. He also became a favourite with impressionists, and, as his comedy style fell out of favour in the 1980s, he was mocked[who?] His two sons both died in tragic circumstances, Gary from cerebral palsy and Simon from a heroin overdose. "I want to die in the saddle. One of his biggest successes was The Golden Shot from July 1967 until January 1972 and again from July 1974 to April 1975. Bob Monkhouse died from prostate cancer in 2003 after a two-and-a-half-year battle (Image: GETTY) The Independent's Giles Smith commented that Monkhouse "told me this quite candidly" in a 1995. The comic also suffered a setback in his fight against illhealth when he broke a collarbone in a fall in October. Monkhouse's TV shows included The Golden Shot - which at its peak had 16 million viewers - Opportunity Knocks and Bob's Full House. My thoughts are with his family and friends.Dominic Hill, Burnham, It was with great sadness I read of the death of Bob Monkhouse. His parents hoped he would join the family's custard business, but Bob and his friend Denis Goodwin had other plans. In 1978 the police raided his Hertfordshire home and seized his collection of 16mm films. I've admired and taken a keen interest in him since. A respected stand-up comedian, Monkhouse was known for his talent at ad-libbing. "We've lost one of the greatest comics England has ever produced," he said. The former Family Fortune host died at his home in the village of Eggington, near Leighton Buzzard. [14] Among the audience were a number of British comedians who had been personally invited by Monkhouse, including Reece Shearsmith, Jon Culshaw, David Walliams, Fiona Allen and Mark Steel. Rest in Peace you dear sweet man. In the 2010 ITV documentary The Unforgettable Bob Monkhouse, a friend explained that he often complained about there being a whole generation who dont know Im a comedian. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. In one gag, Monkhouse quipped: They laughed when I said I wanted to be a comedian. 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]. The Independent reported that many assumed he was hoarding porn after the bust but later it was revealed that wasnt the case. Born in Beckenham, south London, in June 1928, Monkhouse developed his talent for comedy while a pupil at nearby Dulwich College. Bob Monkhouse: The Last Stand: Directed by Mark Lucey. Yet, in 2007, he made a "comeback", appearing in a new TV campaign advertising a prostate cancer charity. He ended by saying, "As a comedian, I've died many deaths. This I have treasured for 45 years. 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The marriage ended after 18 years after they had three children - Abigail, Gary and Simon. 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. Dick Fiddy, the archivist, said: "It's a huge, unwieldy collection which deals with a number of areas. God bless you Bob and thanks for the memories. In 1995, he poked fun at his legacy when he told the Independent: What will I leave behind me? ", Monkhouse, 74 at the time, added: "I can still enjoy sex at 74 - I live at 75, so it's no distance.". 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. 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. Recorded in 2003 live on stage, interspersed with interviews with comedians and celebrities that were in the audience that night. She was his secretary and they married in 1973 after he split from first wife Elizabeth. Bob was given an OBE for services to entertainment in 1993. It was claimed that Carrs one-liners were very similar to those of Monkhouse due to their brevity, their punchiness [and] their verbal economy. 29/12/2003 One of the country's best-loved comedians, Bob Monkhouse, has died today after a two-year battle with cancer. Bob signed off: As a comedian, Ive died many deaths. Veteran British comedian and television host Bob Monkhouse died today at his Bedfordshire home, his manager said. Monkhouse died aged 75 after being one of Britain's top comedians for more than four decades. What are some of his most memorable career moments? Suddenly I was in fashion again and reaching new people. The widow of comedian Bob Monkhouse has died suddenly, it has emerged. My recovery has been dramatic and I'm ready to go back to work.". The show also included a rare public appearance from Monkhouse's friend Mike Yarwood. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. 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