Trivia

He died two days after his last recording of I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue, where he had been a panel member since 1974. No permanent panel member was chosen to take his place.

He was once invited to open the annual summer fete at his old school, a place he had hated. His speech consisted of just three words - "The bugger's open!" - after which he left.

The son of a publisher, he was noted as a humorist, illustrator and cartoonist. His cartoons were featured not only in "Private Eye", but in "The Daily Telegraph" and "Literary Review". He also published several satirical books with titles like "The Filth Amendment" (1981) and "Spy Thatcher" (1987).

A lifelong member of the Labour Party, he opposed Alec Douglas-Home in a 1963 by-election for the seat of Kinross in 1963, but ended up with only 45 votes.

Is an old Salopian, i.e. he went to top English public school Shrewsbury, where he founded what is now 'Private Eye' with Richard Ingrams and Paul Foot.

Made his professional debut on the stage in Spike Milligan's satire "The Bed-Sitting Room" at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury (1961).

Had diabetes for many years.

A memorial service was held for him at St. Paul's Church, Covent Garden on 20th May 1997.

Prior to entering show business he was an articled clerk in a solicitor's office.