Charles backs Spike statue

Prince Charles has donated money to a £30,000 appeal to erect a statue in honour of Spike Milligan.

The prince, who was famously called a ‘grovelling little bastard’ by the late Goon on live TV, has backed the drive to commemorate the comic hero in North London.

But fundraisers are not allowed to reveal exactly how much he donated, on Clarence House orders.

Barry Humphries, Joanna Lumley and John Cleese are among those supporting the campaign to create a life-size bronze statue of the performer in Finchley, where he used to live.

Sculptor John Somerville says the likeness will sit on a bench with a montage of images to commemorate his life, “like a shamrock from Ireland, an elephant's head to show he was born in India, a book he is writing in and fairies reading notes”.

At the launch of the fundraising campaign, Spike’s daughter Jane said: "Spike is a very difficult person to sum up in words, and to sum him up in a statue is probably one of the best things we can do.

"Maybe you can get the energy of him by looking into his eyes as he sits on the bench beside you. He inspired so many people, it would be good if he could continue to do it. I think the statue is a great idea."

More than £3,000 has so far been raised by The Finchley Society, of which Spike was once president.

The target is £30,000 by the end of next year, enough to build the statue by April 2006.

Published: 24 Oct 2004