Bob Monkhouse was one of Britain's most enduring performers, with a career spanning more than half a century.

His American-style approach, often derided as smarmy, won him much criticism, but his professionalism, hard work and photographic memory for gags gave him a longevity many would envy.

Heir to a custard empire, he decided he'd rather write comedy than take over the family business, and started off sending strip cartoons to every comic in Britain at the age of 12, while still a pupil at Dulwich College. By the age of 15 was making a regular income from it.

His started his broadcasting career on radio in 1949, and worked as a stand-up comic - but hit the big time as a gag writer with partner, Denis Goodwin.

They wrote jokes for the likes of Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis - and reportedly sold American comics' lines back to British acts.

In 1952, Monkhouse and Goodwin were given their own TV sketch comedy, Fast And Loose, which only served to show up Goodwin's failings as a performer, and the partnership soon collapsed. Goodwin ended up committing suicide in 1975.

Much of Monkhouse's later fame stemmed from game shows, hosting the likes of The Golden Shot, Celebrity Squares, Family Fortune including The $64,000 Question, Opportunity Knocks and more.

However, his autobiography Crying With Laughter and his televised stand-up show An Audience With revived his reputation as a comic, rather than just an entertainer, in the mid-1990s.

He was also awarded the OBE in 1993, and in 1995 he won a lifetime achievement award at the British Comedy Awards.

Twice married (to Elizabeth from 1949 to 1972, and Jacqueline from 1972 until his death)he outlived two of his three children: his estranged son Simon died of a heroin overdose in a Bangkok hotel in 2001 and Gary, a cerebral palsy sufferer, died in 1992. He also had a daughter, Abigail.

CV

Far from being the slimy game-show host, Bob was one of the sharpiest, quickest, funniest comics the UK's ever produced. Forget Family Fortunes, check his adults-only stand-up vids and when you've stopped laughing you'll agree.

Michael Monkhouse, September 2007

I was a stand up comic from 1966 through to 1981 and then became a scriptwriter. I met Bob a couple of times on the northern cabaret circuit. He was charming and never forgot a face. He was without doubt at that time the best stand up comic this country has produced. A comic's comic! Long may he be remembered.

Brian Marshall, March 2006

I was privileged to meet Bob Monkhouse at the TRIC Awards at the Grosvenor House, Park Lane in March 2003 when he was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award. He came onstage to receive the award from Ronnie Corbett, and proceeded to bring the house down with a wonderfully well observed, topical and quite brilliant 10 minute stand up routine. I would defy any other comic of any generation to better it. No one in the audience that day could have guessed that at the time Bob was gravely ill with the cancer that would kill him less than a year later. A professional to the end. He was also utterly charming with everyone he met. Thank you Bob for a lifetime of high standards and huge laughs, there'll never be another

Lisa, March 2005

I'm 20 years old, my nana is in her 80's. Bob Monkhouse was one of the few comedians who could make us both laugh at the same time. A sign of a great comedian is bridging such a generation gap - sadly, sadly missed.

Siobhan, December 2004

As a 38 year old, I have grown up with Bob Monkhouse somewhere around for all of my life. I know he had his critics for his style, but for me he was one of the very few people who could make me genuinely laugh. I look at the lies of the many new TV presenters around and not one can hold a torch to him. I have long said that one the 'old generation' comics have all gone, lord help us, who will be left to keep the world smiling

Jayne C, October 2004

Not funny at all, woeful set ups followed by terrible punchlines. Whoever nicked his joke book should have rewritten his jokes for him.

Chris, September 2004

The biggest loss the world of commedy has suffered since the death of Lenny Bruce

SDT, March 2004

Bob Monkhouse's death was the worst news. The man was a comic encyclopedia, a genius of his generation and one of the greatest comedy writers to come out of this country. He also had an immense knowledge of the cinema especially the silent era. I will miss him and the comedy world has lost an icon, but thankfully we have the legacy of his wonderful work. God bless you Bob

John Brandom, December 2003