Smelling of Roses

by Eric Sykes

No one would have believed that two reluctant Desert Rats, Sparks and Miller, could become front page heroes, but then no one would have believed how hard they tried to avoid it, either!

Sparks and Miller are two ordinary soldiers desperate to aboid any action and enjoy a nice quiet war. They can hardly believe their bad luck when, despite all of their efforts to duck out of the desert conflict, they hit the headlines as full-blown heroes.

A chance encounter with a low-flying Messerschmitt was more than they had bargained for, but unintentionally exposing a German spy ring, capturing a detachment of Italians by accident and destroying Rommel's secret fuel dump quite by chance makes them wonder if this stupid war will never leave them alone.

Genres: Fiction

267 pages

First published November 6, 1997

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Louis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book wasn't what i expected, which was something with quite a lot of factual information weaved in. Nevertheless I thought it was a ncie easy story with really well created characters that you felt right there in - probably helps the recording i was listening to had a fantastic reader to bring these characters to life.
I would say an ideal summer holiday read.

[Martin Willoughby · Rating 4 out of 5]

One the more humourous books I've read in a while. It's easy to forget that Eric Sykes wrote a lot of material for the Goons among others.