‘Gentleman of comedy’ Eric Sykes dies at 89

Eric Sykes, one of the most popular comic actors of his generation, was still staring in the West End shows into his 80s, even though he became almost totally deaf and nearly blind.

But he was much more than an actor. He was a hugely successful comedy scriptwriter, a novelist, a director, and a producer.

Sykes, who has died at the age of 89 after a short illness, is probably best remembered for the acclaimed Sykes And A... television series with Hattie Jacques.