Like many comics of his generation Sykes was introduced to showbusiness while in the RAF.

On demob, he tried to forge a career in comedy - but found very litttle work. Until, by luck, he met Flight Lieutenant Bill Fraser, a friend from his National Service days who was enjoying some success on the London stage.

Bill asked Eric if he would write for him, and he quickly found himself in demand behind the typewriter, producing scripts for Fraser and Frankie Howerd.

He was soon writing for hit BBC radio shows such as Educating Archie and Variety Bandbox. In 1948 he began working for TV, one of the fledgling medium's first scriptwriters.

Sykes appeared in a number of variety shows on TVs, including the 1955 spoof pantomime Pantomania, while still writing for other acts, including Peter Sellers and Stanley Unwin..

It was in these early days that Eric developed hearing problems, which would eventually make him almost totally deaf.

His fame shot up, though, in 1960, when he created, with Alf Garnett writer Johnny Speight, the first series of his sitcoms, playing a bumbling proud but character Eric who lived with his formidable 'sister' Hattie Jacques. The show would last two decades, (and two titles) except for a seven-year break from 1965, and produce 128 episodes until Hattie's death in 1980.

During the run of the sitcom, Sykes was involved in a number of other projects, including the now controversial Curry and Chips opposite a blacked-up Spike Milligan.

Most famous of these other projects was the 1967 silent The Plan, revolving entirely around the mishaps caused by a man carrying a large plank - an idea that originally germinated in an episode of Sykes.

His humour was always gentle and warm-hearted, and he had little time for later generations.

Skyes continues working, even though he is over 80, starring in the acclaimed Nicole Kidman movie The Others, Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire and in the West End farce Caught In The Net.

CV

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A comic genius. His talent is far beyond that of any other recent entertainer. Long live mr Tuttle

JWiggins, June 2003

Eric Sykes is a comedy genius. Catch him when and where ever you can - whatever he is - in you will observe a pure masterclass of comedy.

Paul Brammer, May 2003

I have always admired Eric Sykes work and have fond memories of my childhood watching Eric Sykes with Hattie Jaques. I was suprised to learn many years ago of his hearing difficulties and marvelled at how he adapted to it. It was even more of a suprise to later learn that he had also acquired sight difficulties and was now blind.People such as Eric Sykes are an inspiration. I would love to know the secret of his success.

Christine Booth, April 2003

My late father served in WW2 alongside Eric sides and often recounted tales of them and others. How refresing to have a man like this still on our screens.

Nicola Mitchell, March 2003

I think he single-handledly invented domestic, suburban sitcom. His series with Hattie Jacques were more inventive and anarchistic than, say, Terry & June or The Good Life. His writing was sharp for the time, although it may not stand up so well now. However, I'd put Eric close to Spike Milligan and Benny Hill as originals. I've seen two versions of "The Plank"; both very funny and, without dialogue, reliant on visual humour. In my opinion, very few recent comedians can do that successfully, in fact, I can't think of one. Tommy Cooper used to be able to raise a laugh by doing precisely nothing other than to walk on to a stage. That's a kind of magic that is, sadly, rare these days. Eric Sykes could do that.

Phil Nash, October 2002

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