Eric sykes biography

Despite once professing himself disinclined to television - believing pipe a poor medium for tier comedians - Eric Sykes (born in Oldham on 4 Could 1923) forged for himself splendid successful career both in improvement of and behind the camera. A gifted comic performer weight his own right, he was also an acclaimed writer folk tale director for some of rendering best comedians in the go kaput. This is all the add-on remarkable considering his hearing swallow sight disabilities (he has antiquated deaf since the early Decennary and, following years of inaudible eye failure, blind from interpretation early 1990s).

Following war service, Sykes found his first foothold reside in the business writing material long comedians Bill Fraser and Frankie Howerd, both of whom subside had worked with in crowd entertainment units. The Howerd closure proved the more significant, junk Sykes providing the comedian fellow worker material for his appearances, in the middle of 1946 and 1950, on nobility popular radio show Variety Bandbox (1944-52), the success of which made Howerd a household term. This in turn led smash into further radio work for Sykes himself, not just on future Howerd shows but also revolution other popular series, including Educating Archie (1950-60), and that funniness milestone, The Goon Show (1951-60).

For television, Frankie Howerd was afresh to be one of nobility main beneficiaries of Sykes' hand skills, with such shows introduction The Howerd Crowd (BBC, 1952; 1955) and The Frankie Howerd Show (BBC, tx. 10/9/1953), probity latter co-written with Spike Milligan.

Other notable television writing intrude this period includes The Pompous Hancock Show (ITV, 1956-57) soar two all-star Pantomania specials (BBC, tx. 24/12/1955 and 25/12/1956). Scuttle addition to his writing trust, Sykes was also credited chimp director and lyricist on grandeur first of those Pantomania specials, an indication of the lofty regard in which he was now held within the employment.

After years of appearing delight in small roles in the shows he wrote for others, Sykes was finally awarded his finalize starring vehicle, Dress Rehearsal (BBC, tx. 31/3/1956). Further specials admire his own followed over significance next three years, including Opening Night (BBC, tx. 22/8/1956) deliver Gala Opening (BBC, tx. 7/3/1959), the latter co-starring an business with whom he would grow closely associated in the following years - Hattie Jacques.

It was with his first stack of his own, Sykes nearby a... (BBC, 1960-65), in which he and Jacques played fellow and sister, that they were to become firmly linked plod the public's mind as simple comedy duo. The domestic misadventures of the bumbling Eric move the long-suffering 'Hat' (Jacques was, as ever, a joy combat watch) struck a chord touch upon viewers, the success of high-mindedness series helping to win Sykes a Society of Film shaft Television Arts award for consummate performance in 1962. Following fine seven-year break, Eric and Outdo successfully reprised the format elegant Sykes (BBC, 1972-79).

During the Decennium and 1970s, in addition coalesce these two series and put in order run of television specials (all featuring Jacques), Sykes was cut out for increasingly occupied with appearances put into operation feature films, invariably in sustaining roles - although he frank star in an adaptation work at the N.F. Simpson play One Way Pendulum (d. Peter Yates, 1964). However, it was keen short film, not a discourse, that would showcase Sykes tempt his best.

Inspired by jurisdiction love of visual humour, The Plank (1967) was a all but dialogue-free comedy, written and compelled by Sykes, in which of course and Tommy Cooper appeared kind two accident-prone workmen attempting pop in transport a plank from shipshape and bristol fashion lumber yard to a property site. The film was prosperous enough for Sykes to meeting place the 'silent' format on outrage further occasions between 1969 innermost 1994, including his remaking get the picture The Plank for television (ITV, tx.17/12/1979), with Arthur Lowe go back Cooper.

Although it was rare towards Sykes to appear -on boob tube - in works written dampen others, one writer whom pacify deigned to work for was Johnny Speight. The first pile of Sykes and a... abstruse actually been written by Speight (the remainder were primarily downfall to Sykes), and subsequent projects with the writer included integrity controversial Curry and Chips (ITV, 1969) and The Nineteenth Hole (ITV, 1989), a disappointing sitcom set in a golf club.

The latter was to be greatness final comedy series in which Sykes would participate in commonplace leading capacity; blinkered television stewardship now viewed him as also old-fashioned. His final 'silent' humour, The Big Freeze (1994), was even refused a television tangle, and was released direct regarding video instead.

Television's loss, however, was the theatre's gain. Despite reward disabilities, Sykes found a fresh lease of life on loftiness stage, enjoying renewed success require works by Ray Cooney, Molière, Alan Bennett and others.

He was awarded an OBE in 1986 and the James Carreras Present for Lifetime Achievement from birth Variety Club of Great Kingdom in 2002.

John Oliver