THE comic genius Eric Sykes has passed away at the age of 89.
Mr. Sykes was not only a gifted performer but had made his mark as both a comedy writer and director with success on TV, the stage and in films.
After war service with the RAF, Mr. Sykes began to write material for a number of entertainers, including Tony Hancock and Frankie Howard, and he also collaborated with Spike Milligan on a number of writing projects.
His talents were soon rewarded with his own shows for television. Among his most popular shows for television were Sykes And A..., which began in the mid-1960s and the later Sykes (see below).
In both series he starred with Hattie Jacques who played his sister.
His film work included Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines (1965), Monte Carlo or Bust (1969) and The Plank (1967) which he wrote, directed and starred in alongside Tommy Cooper. The film won The Golden Rose of Montreux.
Other movies included The Others (2001) and Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire (2005).
He also enjoyed international success with tours of his stage show A Hatful Of Sykes.
What was remarkable was the fact that Mr. Sykes had faced major hearing hearing problems for most of his career, ending-up profoundly deaf in later years. His trademark black-framed glasses were not for helping him see (although he was almost blind in recent years, but cleverly concealed the technology which made him aware of sound by the transference of vibrations.
His career spanned more than 50 years and his contribution to entertainment was recognised with awards. He was appointed O.B.E. in 1986 and C.B.E. in 2005. He also received The Bernard Delfont Award For Outstanding Contribution To Showbusiness from The Variety Club in 2002.
Despite suffering a stroke in 2002 and also undergoing heart surgery, Mr. Sykes was still able to work.
He is survived by his wife Edith and their four children.
To view out takes from the Sykes series, click here.
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