British comedian Dick Emery is known throughout the world for his gallery of hilarious and unforgettable characters ... Lampwick, the doddering relic of World War I; Mandy, the coy blonde with the knockout punch; the uncouth Bovver Boy; the Vicar with the teeth and the platitudes; the Ton-Up Boy with his leather gear, his bike and his birds; the outrageously camp Clarence; and a host of others.

What is not so well known is that Dick is also a dab hand in the kitchen. He's been at it since he was nine, and even today often relaxes by "mucking around" (as he puts it) in the kitchen and inventing things.

Friends often prodded Dick about his cooking and said he should produce a cookbook. Dick liked the idea but wasn't sure he had the time. There were others, however, who had no such reservations. Lampwick quickly volunteered to "give it a go", Mandy was simply bursting to reveal her culinary skills and the Vicar was delighted to make a generous offering to such a worthy cause. Bovver Boy, Clarence and the Ton-Up Boy were soon clamouring to be in on the act too, so Dick just hadned it over and here we have it - Dick Emery's Cookbook, compiled by six of his favourite characters, with all their favourite dishes and hteir own inimitable way of telling you how to do them.

It's a recipe for lots of fun.

First published: Monday 1st January 1979