While appearing in university revue, Barry was offered a week's work at the famous City Varieties Theatre, where he was spotted by a London agent.

His variety work led him to the Windmill Theatre in London, a legendary school for comedians, whose graduates include Sir Harry Secombe and Peter Sellers.

After seven months of six shows a day, six days a week, he left to appear in Expresso Bongo, a musical satirising pop music, and started making records. He was once Number One in Finland.

He then started writing for revues at the Fortune Theatre and for Danny La Rue.

While doing this, he met David Frost who invited him to join the writing roster on The Frost Report.

He has writtengags for some of the true legends of comedy, including Morecambe and Wise, Tommy Cooper, Stanley Baxter, Dick Emery, Dave Allen, Les Dawson, Bob Hope, George Burns, the Two Ronnies, Kenny Everett, Sir Harry Secombe, Billy Connolly, Jasper Carrott and Richard Pryor.

He was made an OBE for services to comedy drama in 2001.

CV

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Funny bones, not without something of the Eric Morecambe about him - okay his face and glasses. Like Bernard Cribbins, people only have to say "Barry Cryer" to me and I shall fall about laughing.

Mandy Allan, January 2010

Just returned home from seeing Barry with Colin Sell at the piano. Absolutely hilarious. Gladly revisited many old jokes and glimpsed Barry's genius as he spoke on subjects taken from "Barry's Bucket" which was filled by the audience as they arrived (insert joke here)

Anthony Stollard, September 2006

I have just finished Pigs Can Fly. I thought it was a hilarious read from start to finish.If anyone out there needs a laugh then I strongly recommend this book.

Declan Forde, July 2006

The word 'great' is bandied about with alarming regularity on TV and in the other media about people who aren't fit to lace Barry Cryer's drinks. He really IS a comedy great.

Brendan Delaney, July 2005

Enjoyed a cracking night at the Floral Pavilion, New Brighton where Barry appeared with Ronnie Golden. We laughed 'til we cried, can't wait until the next time

Su Winter, July 2005

Cheeky Chappie, you could call Baz - You can see he just loves his job, and makes it look easy - but he keeps up to date, as well as appearing to be a hang-over from Vaudeville

Stephe, March 2005

Incredibly funny and clever , he makes it sound easy.

Emm, March 2005

With age brings wisdom. No scrap that. With age comes laughs

Andrew Stephens, November 2004

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