Eric Sykes’s Followers (2)

Eric Sykes

Born

in Oldham, Lancashire, England, The United Kingdom

May 04, 1923

Died

July 04, 2012

Genre

Humor, Nonfiction

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Eric Sykes was a prolific English writer, actor, comedian, and director whose career in entertainment spanned over five decades and encompassed radio, television, stage, and film. Known for his versatile comedic style and distinctive physical humor, Sykes became a prominent figure in post-war British comedy, frequently collaborating with some of its most celebrated names, including Spike Milligan, Tony Hancock, Peter Sellers, and Hattie Jacques.
Born in Oldham, Lancashire, Sykes experienced early hardships, including the death of his mother shortly after his birth. He served in the Royal Air Force during World War II, where he began staging troop shows and forged connections with fellow entertainers. After the war, a chance encounter with Eric Sykes was a prolific English writer, actor, comedian, and director whose career in entertainment spanned over five decades and encompassed radio, television, stage, and film. Known for his versatile comedic style and distinctive physical humor, Sykes became a prominent figure in post-war British comedy, frequently collaborating with some of its most celebrated names, including Spike Milligan, Tony Hancock, Peter Sellers, and Hattie Jacques.
Born in Oldham, Lancashire, Sykes experienced early hardships, including the death of his mother shortly after his birth. He served in the Royal Air Force during World War II, where he began staging troop shows and forged connections with fellow entertainers. After the war, a chance encounter with actor Bill Fraser led to his first professional writing work, marking the beginning of a fruitful career in comedy.
Sykes initially made his mark as a radio writer, contributing to shows like Educating Archie and collaborating with Spike Milligan on The Goon Show. By the 1950s, he had expanded into television, writing and performing in a range of BBC and ITV programs. His early screen roles and writing credits included work with Frankie Howerd and Peter Sellers. He also co-founded the influential writers' cooperative Associated London Scripts.
His breakthrough as a TV performer came in the 1960s with Sykes and a..., a sitcom co-starring Hattie Jacques, where he portrayed a lovable, accident-prone bachelor. The series was so successful that it was revived as Sykes in the 1970s, running for another 68 episodes. The pair's chemistry and comedic timing made them one of Britain’s most beloved double acts.
Sykes was also a master of visual comedy. He created and starred in several wordless slapstick films, most famously The Plank (1967), which became a classic of silent humor. Despite suffering from hearing loss, he adapted by lip-reading, continuing to perform and direct with skill and precision.
In later years, Sykes remained active in television and theatre, frequently working with old collaborators and maintaining his signature comedic style. His work was marked by an enduring commitment to clean, clever humor and a deep understanding of comedic timing and character.
Eric Sykes left a lasting legacy in British comedy, remembered as a gifted performer and innovative writer whose career influenced generations of comedians. ...more

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Eric Sykes’s books

Average rating: 3.76 · 394 ratings · 42 reviews · 22 distinct works • Similar authors

	If I Don't Write it Nobody Else Will 3.98 avg rating — 245 ratings — published 2005 — 16 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Goons: The Story by Norma Farnes (Editor), Spike Milligan (Contributor), Harry Secombe (Contributor) 3.66 avg rating — 35 ratings — published 1997 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	UFOs Are Coming Wednesday 3.06 avg rating — 35 ratings — published 1996 — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Eric Sykes' Comedy Heroes 3.62 avg rating — 21 ratings — published 2004 — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Smelling of Roses 3.33 avg rating — 18 ratings — published 1997 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Great Crime of Grapplewick 2.88 avg rating — 16 ratings — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Eric Sykes' Compendium with "Smelling of Roses" and "Great Crime of Grapplewick" and "Ufos Are Coming Wednesday" 3.33 avg rating — 9 ratings — published 2006	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Sykes of Sebastopol Terrace 3.50 avg rating — 6 ratings — published 1981 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Goon Show Compendium, Volume Two: Series 5, Part 2 by Spike Milligan (Author and Narrator), Eric Sykes, Peter Sellers (Narrator) 3.67 avg rating — 3 ratings — published 1955	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Complete Guide to Carnivore: Unleashing Your Full Potential 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Quotes by Eric Sykes (?)

“I asked my publisher what would happen if he sold all the copies of my book he'd printed. He said "I'll just print another ten.”
― Eric Sykes

tags: humour, literature

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“Toold you I did not feel well”
― Eric Sykes

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“Honest Fred, the punter's friend, was offering ten thousand to one against it being the end of the world by dawn, and such was the gullibility of people that he was doing a roaring trade. I mean, couldn't they see that if the world did end, Honest Fred wouldn't be there to pay out, and even worse, they wouldn't be there to collect. However, ten thousand to one isn't a bad bet so I had a fiver just in case.”
― Eric Sykes, Sykes of Sebastopol Terrace

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Eric Sykes’s Followers (2)

Eric Sykes

Combine EditionsEric Sykes’s books

Topics Mentioning This Author

Combine Editions
Eric Sykes’s books