Plaque unveiled in honour of Peter Cook

Family and friends of comedian Peter Cook gathered today to unveil a plaque in his honour.

The memorial at what was The Establishment Club in Soho, central London, marks an important site for modern comedy.

Cook, who died in 1995, opened the club in the early 1960s and both he and the venue were central to the rebirth of political satire during that decade.

Speaking at the unveiling, his first wife Wendy Cook said: “When we met as students at Cambridge this was in his heart and in his mind – a political, satirical nightclub – this is what he wanted to do as an undergraduate.

“When it opened everybody wanted to be there, it was an amazing place.”

She described Cook’s comedy partner Dudley Moore doing the twist in the basement, actor Michael Caine propping up the bar, and a host of celebrities and politicians enjoying the atmosphere.

“It was a moment in time when there were a lot of ideas and a lot of exuberance, a tremendous expansion of enthusiasm and optimism and permissiveness.”

The building at 18 Greek Street is now a bar, but it’s stage for Australian comedian Barry Humphries – aka Dame Edna Everage – to British audiences for the first time and helped to revive the career of Frankie Howerd.

Comedian Barry Cryer, who knew Cook for 30 years, said: “He was brilliant, he was a one-off, he was an amazing man.

“He was relentlessly funny, it was amazing, it wore you out.

“In the end the booze got hold of him and that was very sad. He had a lot more to offer and we lost him too early.”

He said his friend would have been very “rude and insulting” about the plaque.

Television shows such as 'That Was The Week That Was' and 'Not Only ... But Also', where he worked with his long-time comedy partner Moore, made Cook a household name.

Cook also helped fund 'Private Eye' during its early days and the magazine was even produced from the establishment club for a time.

Stephen Fry once described Cook as “the funniest man who ever drew breath.”

Asked what it was like to grow up with him, his sister Elizabeth Cook said: “He was very bright, he was very funny, original, inventive and kind.

“He was probably one of the funniest men in the country and it was a disappointment to find out that other people weren’t as funny as he was.

“He didn’t strain at it like comedians do now.”

The plaque was unveiled by Westminster City Council jointly with The Heritage Foundation.

The Foundation’s David Graham said the idea came from a fan.

“We don’t appreciate people until we lose them and that’s a very British trait,” he said.

“I remember when Peter died the next day the papers were full of what a great genius he was but why weren’t they saying that when he was alive?”

The plaque had been due to be unveiled by the Foundation’s president, Robin Gibb, of the Bee Gees.

But Gibb pulled out after revelations he fathered a child with his housekeeper.

Instead a statement was read on his behalf by radio presenter Mike Read.

Gibb said: “Peter Cook recreated British humour as we know it. He can never be imitated or replaced.

“There are many good comic actors, Peter Cook was not just good, he was great and remains great forever.”

The Lord Mayor of Westminster Louise Hyams, wearing turquoise tights, said: “Peter Cook is a vivid reminder that our city’s rich heritage is comprised of extraordinary figures. He helped launch a new genre of comedy and his savage wit kept the establishment firmly on their toes.”

The plaque reads: “Peter Cook 1937-1995 comedian and ”only twin“ co-founded and ran the establishment club here 1961-1964.