Radio comedy show, originally broadcast as 'Crazy People' The first scripts were co-written by Spike Milligan and Jimmy Grafton. The pressure of writing eventually contributed to Milligan's mental breakdown. Michael Bentine was a co-founder but left in 1953. The inventiveness of the programme has been cited as a major influence for many subsequent comedians. A puppet series for television, 'The Telegoons' was made in the early 1960s. Milligan, Secombe and Sellers reunited for a final show in 1972 as part of the BBC's 50th anniversary celebrations. Our picture shows, left to right: Sellers, Secombe, Milligan, Bentine.
This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
The Goon Show
Commemorated ati
Spike's statue - Goons
This little group shows Secombe, Milligan and Sellers, holding "Goons" script...
The Goon Show
{Caricatures of the four comedians, followed by:} The Goon Show, 1951-1960, f...
Other Subjects
Eric Morecambe, OBE
Comedian. Born John Eric Bartholomew in Morecambe, Lancashire. Partnered by Ernie Wise their first joint TV show was in 1954 and the last in 1983, with the Christmas specials being national event...
Eric Sykes
Scriptwriter and actor. Born in Oldham, Lancashire. As a writer, he worked with Spike Milligan on the early scripts for the Goon Shows. He wrote for many of the major comedians of the day, includin...
Joyce Grenfell
Born Joyce Phipps in Montpelier Square, London. Her mother was sister to Nancy Astor, MP, so she was "well brought up". Aged 19 she married Reggie, her husband until her death. The picture is a se...
Dame Thora Hird DBE
Character actor. Born Lancashire. Played many comic roles. Late in her life Alan Bennett wrote a number of roles for her.
Previously viewed
St Thomas' Hospital
Named after Thomas a Becket, so possibly founded after 1173 when Becket was canonised. As part of an Augustinian monastery, St Thomas’ (at the London Bridge site) was closed during the Reformation....
Josiah Wedgwood
Master potter. Born in Burslem, Stoke, Staffordshire, into a potters family. Married his cousin, Sally. Childhood smallpox left him with a limp. His inability to operate the potters wheel meant he ...
Person, Craft / Design, Industry, Politics & Administration, Race Issues, Seriously Famous
Houses of Parliament
Also known as the Palace of Westminster, it comprises the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Following a fire in 1834 which destroyed most of the old parliament, a competition was held for th...
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