Comic named Oldie of the Year

Eric Sykes has been named Oldie of the Year.

The 78-year-old comedian, who appeared opposite Nicole Kidman in The Others and is now in a West End farce, was modest about the achievement.

He said: "There are a lot of people, a lot older who've done a lot more but who'll never get the award. It is an honour and a tribute."

BBC presenter Terry Wogan, one of the judges in competition organised by The Oldie magazine, said: "He is utterly amazing. Eric is a man of endless enthusiasm - frail but determined."

Skyes has recently been critical of the younger generations of comics.

But that didn't stop Harry Enfield coming to the London bash with his father Edward, an Oldie columnist.

Published: 4 Feb 2002