The Late Great Eric Sykes, BBC Two, review

As this enjoyably straightforward documentary made clear, Sykes possessed a rare talent as both a fastidious wordsmith and a natural slapstick prankster.

This tribute to Eric Sykes, one of Britain's best-loved comedy actors and writers, who died in July, forms an evening of programmes dedicated to the man. An episode from series seven of his sitcom Sykes - in which the lofty Eric and the cuddly Hattie Jacques played an unlikely pair of oddly sexless twins, leading fanciful lives in Sebastopol Terrace, Acton - follows at 10.30pm, plus a repeat of an Arena documentary at 10.55pm.

The comedy writer and actor had a career in film, TV and radio that spanned more than 50 years, and saw him work with Tony Hancock, among many others. Sykes was part of a new wave of comedy and was catapulted to fame in the postwar years when hit shows such as Variety Bandbox and Educating Archie made him the highest-paid comedy writer in the country. His popularity continued as he became one of the brains behind The Goons and Sykes ran for a further 20 years. Comedians Eddie Izzard and Russ Abbot, Monty Python star Michael Palin, entertainer Bruce Forsyth and film director Mike Newell are just some of the celebrities paying their respects to a man whose comic influence will continue to be felt for many years to come.

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Spike Milligan, Harry Secombe, Eric Sykes and the rest all experienced war. That made their comedy different to today's.

Audio: Bernard Cribbins pays tribute to Eric Sykes

Comedian Bernard Cribbins has paid tribute to Eric Sykes who died on Wednesday.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live's Tony Livesey about his first encounter with Mr Sykes in 1949 and recalled some of his best sketches.

Mr Sykes, 89, died of a short illness.

Eric Sykes in pictures

A photo gallery covering the life and work of the late Eric Sykes.

Eric Sykes in his own words

One of Britain's best-loved comedians Eric Sykes has died aged 89 following a career as a writer, director and actor spanning 50 years.

Obituary: Eric Sykes

Long, lean and lugubrious, Eric Sykes, who has died at the age of 89, starred for many years in his own television series, Sykes And A...

Eric Sykes: Tributes paid to comedy star

Stars from the world of comedy and entertainment have been paying tribute to Eric Sykes, who has died at the age of 89.

Sid Field may not be known to many today but the music hall star is lauded by comedians for his technique; Winston Churchill and 'Laurence Olivier were among his fans. Despite the lack of archive footage and David Suchet's stilted presentation, Field's innovative style ("the supreme live performer") emerges thanks to the contributions of Paul Merton and Eric Sykes. The film takes in why it took so long for Field to hit the big time, why his switch to big-budget movies didn't work out and why he was so influential.