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If I Don't Write it Nobody Else Will
The long awaited story of one of Britain's greatest comic legends. 'Some people walk on stage and the audience warms to them. You can't explain it, and you shouldn't try. It's an arrogant assumption to say you 'decide' to become a comedian. The audience decides for you.' Eric Sykes, December 2001 From his early days writing scripts for Bill Fraser and Frankie Howerd through decades of British radio and television comedy - 'Educating Archie', 'Sykes And A ...', 'Curry and Chips', 'The Plank' - to his present day ventures into film and theatre, starring in 'The Others' with Nicole Kidman and appearing in Peter Hall's recent production of 'As You Like It', Eric Sykes has carved himself an enduring place as one of Britain's greatest writers and performers. In his much anticipated autobiography, Sykes reveals his extraordinary life working alongside a generation of legendary comedians and entertainers, despite being dogged by deafness and eventually virtual blindness. His hearing problems began in the early days of his career in the 1950s, around the time he wrote, directed and performed in the spoof pantomime 'Pantomania' for the BBC. Undeterred however, Sykes learned to lip-read, going on to write and appear in a number of BBC productions including 'Opening Night' and Val Parnell's 'Saturday Spectacular', the first of two shows he made with Peter Sellers, a great life-long friend. From 1959 until her death in 1980, Syke's starred with Hattie Jacques in one of Britain's best loved sitcoms 'Sykes and A ...' Throughout the two decade run of this show he continued to work alongside a host of stars including Charlie Drake, Tommy Cooper, Tony Hancock, Spike Milligan, Johnny Speight, Ray Galton and Alan Simpson. Eric Sykes's comedy has always sported an essential core of warm humanity and this, along with his genuine creative genius, continues to prove an unforgettably winning combination.
502 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
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82 people want to read
About the author
Eric Sykes
22 books2 followersEric 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 26, 2019
It's not a great work of writing, but it is nonetheless a fascinating read. The generation who transitioned to adulthood fighting, or otherwise dealing with, the second world war had a huge impact on entertainment as we know it today. This book tells the story of an important member of that generation.
The descriptions of his childhood in a poor area of Oldham are very striking and poignant. If nothing else, the little details such as the image of the children standing at the table to eat, because there weren't enough chairs, provide a stark example of how different the world had become at the end of his life.
The wartime anecdotes shed a fascinating light on the apparent chaos of military organization, from a very lowly and mundane point of view. As a non-commissioned radio operator, the details of the orders they follow appear unintelligible but emerge to clearly be part of a grand plan. The pinhole view into life in occupied Germany also gives a vivid sense of the challenges of what happens when the war is over.
The book does tail off later into a succession of name-dropping anecdotes, interspersed with snippets of family information. But even this part gives the reader insight into some of the workings of the entertainment industry, the politics and intrigues involved in the web of connections involved in bringing talent to the stage or screen. In touching on his experiences in Africa, it also sheds an interesting light on the lingering Colonial mindset that, even when it thought it meant well, was a driver for oppression and an extinguisher of opportunity.
There isn't a lot of Sykes' humour on display. It's not Spike Milligan's war diaries. But it is an enjoyable read and a fascinating view of one man's path through very interesting times.
The descriptions of his childhood in a poor area of Oldham are very striking and poignant. If nothing else, the little details such as the image of the children standing at the table to eat, because there weren't enough chairs, provide a stark example of how different the world had become at the end of his life.
The wartime anecdotes shed a fascinating light on the apparent chaos of military organization, from a very lowly and mundane point of view. As a non-commissioned radio operator, the details of the orders they follow appear unintelligible but emerge to clearly be part of a grand plan. The pinhole view into life in occupied Germany also gives a vivid sense of the challenges of what happens when the war is over.
The book does tail off later into a succession of name-dropping anecdotes, interspersed with snippets of family information. But even this part gives the reader insight into some of the workings of the entertainment industry, the politics and intrigues involved in the web of connections involved in bringing talent to the stage or screen. In touching on his experiences in Africa, it also sheds an interesting light on the lingering Colonial mindset that, even when it thought it meant well, was a driver for oppression and an extinguisher of opportunity.
There isn't a lot of Sykes' humour on display. It's not Spike Milligan's war diaries. But it is an enjoyable read and a fascinating view of one man's path through very interesting times.
July 28, 2017
One thing many autobiographies have in common is that the childhood years come through with the most clarity and form the most interesting part of the book. In this case, the section up to the end of WWII are riveting and beautifully written and, if they formed a separate volume would merit 5 stars plus. The tragic overture to Eric's life could have been the gateway to a tale of woe, but is in fact inspiring and brings to life that lost world of the early twentieth century.
The book is a great deal longer, however. Eric could give Tolkien a run for his money in this regard, and once fame has beckoned and many famous people have walk-on parts, the reader can be forgiven if his eyes glaze over. Eric confesses to being a golf fanatic and this certainly comes over, and with every golf story a sprinkle of celebrities.
I could never give up on this man's life story, however, and patience is rewarded with more details of acting work in later life, and the final wisdom of this gentle colossus of the entertainment world.
There are precious few anecdotes of working with Milligan and Eric's collaboration on the Goon Show slips by in a heartbeat. More insight into the 'Sykes' series would have been welcome too.
There are some uncompromising accounts of professional spats though, and accounts of childishness and tantrums among the glitterati, which are quite revealing.
Most poignant are the references to his natural mother and the part she played, but I'd better leave Eric to explain.
Ultimately the title says it all. It's his story the way he wanted to tell it, and if you don't like it, tough. A biography though would be interesting for comparison.
The book is a great deal longer, however. Eric could give Tolkien a run for his money in this regard, and once fame has beckoned and many famous people have walk-on parts, the reader can be forgiven if his eyes glaze over. Eric confesses to being a golf fanatic and this certainly comes over, and with every golf story a sprinkle of celebrities.
I could never give up on this man's life story, however, and patience is rewarded with more details of acting work in later life, and the final wisdom of this gentle colossus of the entertainment world.
There are precious few anecdotes of working with Milligan and Eric's collaboration on the Goon Show slips by in a heartbeat. More insight into the 'Sykes' series would have been welcome too.
There are some uncompromising accounts of professional spats though, and accounts of childishness and tantrums among the glitterati, which are quite revealing.
Most poignant are the references to his natural mother and the part she played, but I'd better leave Eric to explain.
Ultimately the title says it all. It's his story the way he wanted to tell it, and if you don't like it, tough. A biography though would be interesting for comparison.
February 25, 2014
Eric Sykes had a lengthy and varied career. Not only was he one of the premier comedy writers and performers from the 1950's to the 1980's in Britain (along side such luminaries as Frankie Howerd, Hattie Jacques, Peter Sellers, Tommy Cooper, Terry Thomas and Spike Milligan)but he also acted and directed films (The Plank,Those Magnificent Men & Their Flying Machines) and theatre. An avid golfer, he frequently partnered friend Sean Connery,or did comedy routines with classical guitarist John Williams. In later years he appeared on television in The Bill, or in plays like Chekhov's The Three Sisters, Shakespeare's As You Like It, Moliere's School For Wives, or films like The Others with Fionulla Flanagan and Nicole Kidman. He did all these things despite hearing problems and, later, failing eyesight.
This is an engaging and colorful memoir, most vivid in recalling his early days in a Lancashire cotton town, his adventures during World War II, or travels to Africa and Australia. His self-deprecating humour is evident throughout as is his eye for telling detail. A thoroughly enjoyable read. - BH.
This is an engaging and colorful memoir, most vivid in recalling his early days in a Lancashire cotton town, his adventures during World War II, or travels to Africa and Australia. His self-deprecating humour is evident throughout as is his eye for telling detail. A thoroughly enjoyable read. - BH.
January 31, 2011
I'm not really sure what to say about this book. I enjoyed reading about Eric's childhood and war time experiences but then got bored. I was expecting to read more about Eric's film career (IMHO one of the greatest British comedy actors of his generation) but this seems to be glossed over a bit. It may have been better to split his life into 2 books...his early life and then his career in radio, television and film.
That said, Eric Sykes is a comedy legend and as such I'm not going to be too critical. Anyone that can write a radio show starring a ventriloquist and get millions of listeners to tune in each week has to be a genius.
That said, Eric Sykes is a comedy legend and as such I'm not going to be too critical. Anyone that can write a radio show starring a ventriloquist and get millions of listeners to tune in each week has to be a genius.
April 6, 2008
I actually like Eric Sykes and his comedic writing quite a lot. It is therefore rather sad that I did not enjoy this read as much as I was hoping.
I couldn't quite put my finger on it - the whole thing seemed confused and dis-jointed.
I couldn't quite put my finger on it - the whole thing seemed confused and dis-jointed.
May 15, 2023
I enjoyed Eric Sykes and his work like The Plank and , but not this book.
He mentions he never kept a diary,, so I find it hard to believe he could remember conversations in such detail of when 70 odd years later he recalls his childhood.
For me there was too much detail. The first 350 pages only went up to his 30's. Admittedly he has had a very interesting life, meeting the Royalty, Idi Amin, working with Peter Brough, Frankie Howerd, Harry Secombe Tommy Cooper and many others. However, it was a tiring read so I ended up scan reading a lot of it.
I never quite expected to see how much he had wrote for these artists and how much he has travelled the world.
He mentions he never kept a diary,, so I find it hard to believe he could remember conversations in such detail of when 70 odd years later he recalls his childhood.
For me there was too much detail. The first 350 pages only went up to his 30's. Admittedly he has had a very interesting life, meeting the Royalty, Idi Amin, working with Peter Brough, Frankie Howerd, Harry Secombe Tommy Cooper and many others. However, it was a tiring read so I ended up scan reading a lot of it.
I never quite expected to see how much he had wrote for these artists and how much he has travelled the world.
November 30, 2020
An interesting read, especially for those of us who can remember a lot of his shows and people he wrote for. I can just remember Jimmy Edwards, onwards and I found it fascinating. Not particularly funny, just the odd line here and there, although he does give others their due (Ken Dodd - “we had to come, it was like the Archbishop of Canterbury being in ‘I’m a celebrity get me out of here’.”)
Suffice it to say I finished the book, which at 491 pages (in my version), I wouldn’t have done, had I not found it interesting.
Suffice it to say I finished the book, which at 491 pages (in my version), I wouldn’t have done, had I not found it interesting.
May 18, 2025
This was an interesting autobiography but too many celebrities, too much name dropping and anecdotes in the second half. It didn't seem very personal, just occasionally he mentioned his childhren and virtually never discussed his marriage or wife, except to admit he was away more than he was home. I thought the first half, his childhood and wartime memories were much more interesting.
March 5, 2021
Not the best written book, but I really enjoyed his TV show, and movie appearances, so wanted to give this a go.
There's lots of really funny anecdotes in this..
If you enjoy his screen work, it's a pleasant enough book to dip into and read over a few sessions.
There's lots of really funny anecdotes in this..
If you enjoy his screen work, it's a pleasant enough book to dip into and read over a few sessions.
October 11, 2021
The author has led a most interesting life and I enjoyed every bit of it, especially the author's wit and the fact he was a family man, evidenced by his lack of vulgarity throughout the book. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
March 20, 2025
I found the book thoroughly enjoyable. It was a no holds barred account of Eric Sykes life and the many obstacles, particularly healthwise, he had to overcome. I found it kept me enthralled seeing what would happen next. I can quite see why he was the writer behind so many of our comedians.
August 21, 2020
I've read a lot of autobiographies, and the stand out thing from this one is how detailed Eric's recollections are. I think he must have kept a diary to refer to. An amazing man. An amazing life.
March 19, 2024
Interesting read and insight into the life of theatre,film and TV.
December 18, 2012
Eric is just one of those people who seem to have been on British TV since TV was invented but its behind the screen, or at first the radio, where Eric shone as a comedy writer. He teamed up with most of the prestigious stars of the era, Tommy Cooper, Spike Milligan, Jimmy Edwards, Bill Fraser, the list is endless. The story starts in Oldham Lancashire and his mum who he never actually met as she died giving birth to Eric so he was brought up by a woman who he thought was his mum, his step-mum. Life in many Northern towns was grim and Eric's was no different but its all he knew.
We trace his childhood, playing in an area dominated by grimy mills and factories and guided, as he believes, by his real mum, from childhood to manhood into the air force and all the time by some extraordinary luck, courtesy of mum up above. And that belief carries him all the way through his story right up to fame and glory both as a writer and later on the many acting parts that came his way. He travelled far and wide and was a success in many countries, the list of celebrities he became friendly with, a lot of them on the golf course, is dazzling.
There was a cost of course and mostly it was not seeing much of his growing family and in later years his hearing and sight suffered but mum was there to guide him through the trauma of hospitalisation. Names are dropped left right and centre as Eric was up there with the elite of British and American showbiz persons and much of this down to his mum.
We trace his childhood, playing in an area dominated by grimy mills and factories and guided, as he believes, by his real mum, from childhood to manhood into the air force and all the time by some extraordinary luck, courtesy of mum up above. And that belief carries him all the way through his story right up to fame and glory both as a writer and later on the many acting parts that came his way. He travelled far and wide and was a success in many countries, the list of celebrities he became friendly with, a lot of them on the golf course, is dazzling.
There was a cost of course and mostly it was not seeing much of his growing family and in later years his hearing and sight suffered but mum was there to guide him through the trauma of hospitalisation. Names are dropped left right and centre as Eric was up there with the elite of British and American showbiz persons and much of this down to his mum.
December 12, 2014
Quite simply a charming read covering the long life and career of a genuine legend of British comedy. The real meat is in the story of his childhood, early adulthood and the war years - this is where we see the events that shape him. Sykes's descriptions of the real poverty of 1920's Lancashire are a sobering reminder that things really aren't so grim as are made out in the 2010's. And again, the genuine misery of WW2 is made clear - we have so much to be grateful for.
The second half of the book is really a long string of showbiz anecdotes, and name-dropping. A lot of this is great fun and Sykes is clearly a man of great modesty - confident of his talents, but always giving credit to others.
I wish there was more about where his comedy came from, how he put it together, but I suspect Sykes was never given to introspection - stuff was either funny or not. And I wish he'd opened up more on his relationship with Hattie Jacques and Spike Milligan (described as his sister and brother) but while his love for them shines through, Sykes was a working class Lancastrian - not given to great shows of emotion.
I was lucky enough to see Sykes on stage (when in his 80's and near blind and deaf), and he still stole the show, and the huge respect he commanded from the rest of the cast was obvious.
A wonderful man; a wonderful life.
The second half of the book is really a long string of showbiz anecdotes, and name-dropping. A lot of this is great fun and Sykes is clearly a man of great modesty - confident of his talents, but always giving credit to others.
I wish there was more about where his comedy came from, how he put it together, but I suspect Sykes was never given to introspection - stuff was either funny or not. And I wish he'd opened up more on his relationship with Hattie Jacques and Spike Milligan (described as his sister and brother) but while his love for them shines through, Sykes was a working class Lancastrian - not given to great shows of emotion.
I was lucky enough to see Sykes on stage (when in his 80's and near blind and deaf), and he still stole the show, and the huge respect he commanded from the rest of the cast was obvious.
A wonderful man; a wonderful life.
June 19, 2014
A beautifully penned autobiography, beginning at the very beginning from his birth this is how autobiographies should be, mr Sykes is funny (we already knew this) clever, lucky and entertaining and even if you don't know who he is this is a wonderful book, it had a definite story with a definite beginning , middle and end, it made me chuckle out loud, lots! It made me cry and exclaim "I didn't know he wrote that/ worked with him" me Sykes remained humble and it comes through in his book, he appreciated his lucky breaks, he loved his work and his family and I wish I could have met him even more now I read his book as he is just lovely and his book is lovely, my advice is buy this and enjoy a good read.
November 5, 2009
The parts relating to his childhood are an interesting change to the misery memoir genre - he had a poor but happy upbringing. Similarly his army life is entertaining, honest, and conversational.
For me the problem is when he moves into his writing and acting career - there seems to be the assumption that you're familiar with the radio and TV programmes he's done, and there's no examples of his award winning writing. OK, you're probably not going to be reading it if you don't know what he's done, but it would be nice to have some snippets to read.
For me the problem is when he moves into his writing and acting career - there seems to be the assumption that you're familiar with the radio and TV programmes he's done, and there's no examples of his award winning writing. OK, you're probably not going to be reading it if you don't know what he's done, but it would be nice to have some snippets to read.
July 14, 2009
I dunno, for a man who has been a comedy writing colossus for more than 50 years, this book was just OK. The humor was forced, and the anecdotes relatively uninteresting. I wonder if his spark has gone - he's almost 90 after all - but you'd think that someone who held his own with the incredible Spike Milligan should be able to make you jump out of your chair with laughter. Wouldn't you ? In the end as apologetic as the title.
October 15, 2012
I was born in the same ward as Eric Sykes. His account of growing up there in my parents' generation was fascinating. Beyond that local interest, he was a brilliant comedian. This is certainly an enjoyable book for anyone who looks back fondly on his tv sitcoms and on his highkly amusing supporting roles in films such as 'Monte Carlo or Bust'.
August 11, 2011
The first half is a great read... but as Sykes career takes off it starts to get less interesting and often feels like a list of shows he wrote for. His support for Ian Smith in Rhodesia is unsatifyingly dealt with, but it's amazing to realise how different the scriptwriting game was in the 1950s.
September 11, 2014
Talented, memorable life of humour given to others. An uneasy childhood which enriched a personality able to rise above the privations and give to others so much pleasure.
Thanks for the memories Eric.
Thanks for the memories Eric.
October 24, 2014
Well I liked the end particularly I made the journey to the ballroom via the servants' staircase (The back staircase ) My Maternal grandmother was a ladies maid (to Lady Litton) so she would have used the back staircase frequently, as I did when I was working.
June 11, 2016
An excellent and compelling read from start to finish.
I'd been a fan of Eric's work and didn't realise how much he'd actually done until I read this. Pleased to see he'd been in the RAF (like myself). It's a nice look into writing, acting and light entertainment in general.
I'd been a fan of Eric's work and didn't realise how much he'd actually done until I read this. Pleased to see he'd been in the RAF (like myself). It's a nice look into writing, acting and light entertainment in general.
August 4, 2016
This was a very enjoyable book and I flew though it. It wasn't as warts and all as Bob Monkhouse's book but none the worse for that. Lots of good stories within the book and some obvious annoyance at the BBC.
October 1, 2012
Fascinating memoir of a fascinating comedy genius.
June 22, 2013
I enjoyed his story from the army to modern fame
February 9, 2016
Started off well, but degenerated into yet another name dropping autobiography
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews