Crying With Laughter

Bob Monkhouse was one of Britain's most enduring comedians and TV presenters, with a career spanning more than half a century. He started his broadcasting career on radio in 1949, and worked as a stand-up comedian, but hit the big time as a gag writer with his partner, Denis Goodwin. They wrote jokes for the likes of Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. Much of Monkhouse's later fame stemmed from game shows, hosting TV programmes such as The Golden Shot, Celebrity Squares and Family Fortunes. He was awarded the OBE in 1993, and in 1995 he won a lifetime achievement award at the British Comedy Awards. He died after losing his battle with cancer in December 2003.