Bob Monkhouse dies after cancer fight

Veteran British comedian and television host Bob Monkhouse died today at his Bedfordshire home, his manager said. He was 75.

He died peacefully in his sleep after losing his two-and-a-half year battle against cancer, said Peter Prichard.

Mr Prichard, who was Monkhouse’s manager for 38 years, said: “Sadly, I have to announce the death of Bob Monkhouse OBE. Bob died peacefully in his sleep this morning at his home after a lengthy battle with cancer.”

Mr Prichard, of International Artists Ltd, said Monkhouse's wife Jackie called him shortly after 5am with the news that he had lost his battle with prostate cancer.

The former Family Fortune host died at his home in the village of Eggington, near Leighton Buzzard, during the night, he said.

Mr Prichard said he was “choked” to deliver “the very, very sad news”.

He added: “The family requests privacy at this very unhappy time.”

Monkhouse leaves a daughter, Abigail. His two sons both died in tragic circumstances – Gary after a struggle with cerebral palsy and Simon from a heroin overdose.

Monkhouse appeared in public in March at an awards ceremony where he joked about the cancer that was killing him.

At the Television and Radio Industries Club awards in London, where he received an award for his contribution to the entertainment world, the comedian wise-cracked: “I discovered about two years ago that visits to the loo were less and less profitable.

“I saw a specialist who asked me ‘Are you familiar with the phrase faecal impaction?’ I said I think I saw that one with Glenn Close and Michael Douglas.”

Monkhouse, 74 at the time, added: “I can still enjoy sex at 74 – I live at 75, so it’s no distance.”