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Laughter Is the Best Medicine: My Autobiography
A nostalgic and deeply personal journey through the golden age of British variety entertainment -- told by one of its last surviving legends.
In October 1963, a young comedian named Jimmy Tarbuck made his television debut on Sunday Night at the Palladium. Stepping onto that famous stage, he brought the house down -- and just two years later, he was hosting the show himself.
As a football-mad boy growing up in Liverpool, Jimmy's dream had been to play professionally for his beloved Liverpool FC. Meanwhile, his childhood friends John Lennon and Cilla Black were finding fame as part of the Merseybeat explosion. But it was Jimmy's gift for comedy that would propel him to stardom.
Hosting Britain's biggest TV show, he introduced global icons such as Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, and Rudolf Nureyev. In America, he shared the stage with Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, swapped jokes with Elvis in Vegas, and chatted with Sinatra in Miami. It was a golden era for British entertainers -- and Jimmy takes readers behind the scenes to the camaraderie, laughter, and mischief he shared with his old pals Eric and Ernie, Tommy Cooper, and Kenny Lynch.
Through the highs, the heartaches, and the hilarity, Jimmy Tarbuck has always seen the funny side of life -- and this joyful autobiography is proof that laughter truly is the best medicine.
In October 1963, a young comedian named Jimmy Tarbuck made his television debut on Sunday Night at the Palladium. Stepping onto that famous stage, he brought the house down -- and just two years later, he was hosting the show himself.
As a football-mad boy growing up in Liverpool, Jimmy's dream had been to play professionally for his beloved Liverpool FC. Meanwhile, his childhood friends John Lennon and Cilla Black were finding fame as part of the Merseybeat explosion. But it was Jimmy's gift for comedy that would propel him to stardom.
Hosting Britain's biggest TV show, he introduced global icons such as Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, and Rudolf Nureyev. In America, he shared the stage with Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, swapped jokes with Elvis in Vegas, and chatted with Sinatra in Miami. It was a golden era for British entertainers -- and Jimmy takes readers behind the scenes to the camaraderie, laughter, and mischief he shared with his old pals Eric and Ernie, Tommy Cooper, and Kenny Lynch.
Through the highs, the heartaches, and the hilarity, Jimmy Tarbuck has always seen the funny side of life -- and this joyful autobiography is proof that laughter truly is the best medicine.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published March 10, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 19, 2026
Jimmy Tarbuck is Not a Tory.
He is football fan of Liverpool and a golf nut ,here we learn why Sean 007 is called Soapy and Bob Hope was sex crazy. Frank Sinatra was the Godfather, John Lennon was his favourite school boy friend.
From his early childhood days, to his marriage and family nothing is left out, full of photos and good print, this very funny autobiography.
He is football fan of Liverpool and a golf nut ,here we learn why Sean 007 is called Soapy and Bob Hope was sex crazy. Frank Sinatra was the Godfather, John Lennon was his favourite school boy friend.
From his early childhood days, to his marriage and family nothing is left out, full of photos and good print, this very funny autobiography.
February 15, 2026
This was definitely a left field read for me and only happened because the gift giver mistook the chap on the cover for someone else completely.
And to begin with it was a surprisingly decent read... eventually the celebrity aspect caught up with me, the description of people as 'known to like a bevvy' (of people who died of their affliction) and the need to declare an assessment of everyone (so common in this sort of book) It started well... no faux deprivation, no faux humility but a solid appreciation of his good luck and an interesting picture of life as a teenager in Liverpool at that time. Variety shows were never my sort of thing but I am old enough to know who and what he was on about when his career takes off.
He complains that he acquired a reputation as a Tory supporter, he thinks undeservedly, I feel differently even if it isn't conscious or overt (not voting earns precisely zero impartiality points in my view, and doing a political party gig purely for the money... yeah, fits)... and then, in the nastiest and most needless little footnote, complaining about 'Dawn French's' ex husband' getting a knighthood. Hmmm.
He starts the book with his son's suggestion the book should be called The Last of the Dinosaurs... he started out and became successful very young and does not appear to have had many health damaging vices, so the final part of the book is dominated by the loss of showbiz friends. He doesn't say so but being wheeled out for media comment on each demise probably helps prolong his career well into old age but his sadness is genuine.
And to begin with it was a surprisingly decent read... eventually the celebrity aspect caught up with me, the description of people as 'known to like a bevvy' (of people who died of their affliction) and the need to declare an assessment of everyone (so common in this sort of book) It started well... no faux deprivation, no faux humility but a solid appreciation of his good luck and an interesting picture of life as a teenager in Liverpool at that time. Variety shows were never my sort of thing but I am old enough to know who and what he was on about when his career takes off.
He complains that he acquired a reputation as a Tory supporter, he thinks undeservedly, I feel differently even if it isn't conscious or overt (not voting earns precisely zero impartiality points in my view, and doing a political party gig purely for the money... yeah, fits)... and then, in the nastiest and most needless little footnote, complaining about 'Dawn French's' ex husband' getting a knighthood. Hmmm.
He starts the book with his son's suggestion the book should be called The Last of the Dinosaurs... he started out and became successful very young and does not appear to have had many health damaging vices, so the final part of the book is dominated by the loss of showbiz friends. He doesn't say so but being wheeled out for media comment on each demise probably helps prolong his career well into old age but his sadness is genuine.
May 13, 2026
I’ve always had a soft spot for Jimmy Tarbuck, largely because he was a close friend of my uncle, Jimmy Melia — my mum Betty’s brother — and, along with Bobby Campbell, was responsible for giving him that first gentle nudge onto the stage at Butlins. Jimmy even appears in my mum and dad’s wedding photographs from July 1958, taken outside St Anthony’s Church on Scotland Road in Liverpool.
I’m not biased, honestly, but there’s something about him that feels familiar, as though you’ve known him all your life, even though we never actually met — and now, of course, never will.
The book was a thoroughly enjoyable read: full of stories, some hilarious, some touching, and the moments involving my favourite band, The Beatles, were an added delight. Equally fascinating was the broader picture it paints of television and theatre from the 1960s onwards — how the industry worked, how it evolved, and how much has changed.
It’s nostalgic, witty, and affectionate. Jimmy comes across as a likeable young rogue who grew into a proud family man and a well‑respected “dinosaur” — his word, not mine.
Recommended
I’m not biased, honestly, but there’s something about him that feels familiar, as though you’ve known him all your life, even though we never actually met — and now, of course, never will.
The book was a thoroughly enjoyable read: full of stories, some hilarious, some touching, and the moments involving my favourite band, The Beatles, were an added delight. Equally fascinating was the broader picture it paints of television and theatre from the 1960s onwards — how the industry worked, how it evolved, and how much has changed.
It’s nostalgic, witty, and affectionate. Jimmy comes across as a likeable young rogue who grew into a proud family man and a well‑respected “dinosaur” — his word, not mine.
Recommended
January 3, 2026
Grown up watching Tarby on the telly. This book read like a conversation. Was very interesting. Was a great reminder of all of his career on stage and screen. And was blown away by his friendships and meetings with legends from all decades.
Great book, very much enjoyed.
Great book, very much enjoyed.
April 28, 2026
An enjoyable read showing the rise of one of Britain’s best known comedians Jimmy Tarbuck.
The stories of his early life are amusing and interesting showing an insight into the swinging sixties and the influence of Liverpool on the arts at that time.
The stories of his early life are amusing and interesting showing an insight into the swinging sixties and the influence of Liverpool on the arts at that time.
November 12, 2025
Ho ho! A romp through Jimmy’s career. He’s certainly had a good time. An enjoyable read.
May 28, 2026
Fantastic read
Jimmy has had an amazing life and has written a wonderful account of it.
He certainly has brought laughter to millions of people. Brilliant!
Jimmy has had an amazing life and has written a wonderful account of it.
He certainly has brought laughter to millions of people. Brilliant!
September 21, 2026
Open and honest autobiography by Jimmy Tarbuck. Versatile northern entertainer, share his good and bad times in here. His popularity is clear to see from all his shows and audiences.
June 22, 2026
If laughter is the best medicine, then this book should be taken two times a day! A great read from a comic living legend who was there when Britain swung and remains an icon to this day. The sixth Beatle?
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews