One of Britain’s best known and loved comedy writers, directors and actors, Eric Sykes, has died at the age of 89. Sykes will be fondly remembered for his role in the TV sitcom Sykes with his co-star Hattie Jacques who played his long suffering sister Harriet. He also wrote material for a host of comics, including Tony Hancock and Frankie Howerd, and collaborated on the Goon Show scripts. Another popular work was his almost silent comedy short The Plank which he wrote, directed and starred in!

Sykes published his well received autobiography IF I DON’T WRITE IT NOBODY ELSE WILL in 2005, available in the Calibre Library under Catalogue Number 7593. In it he traces his life in comedy from a working-class childhood in Oldham to his early years in London as a radio and television writer, and beyond. His career progressed despite his deafness and, later in life, his failing sight. One of his last appearances came as Frank Bryce the gardener of Riddle House in the film Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.