An Entertaining Life

The late Sir Harry Secombe was known and loved throughout the world as a comedian, singer, and Goon, and his death in April 2001 prompted many tributes to his great talent and kindness. He also proved himself to be a writer of considerable wit and calibre, with two bestselling novels and the highly praised first and second volumes of his autobiography, entitled Arias and Raspberries (1921-1950) and Strawberries and Cheam (1951-1996) respectively. Harry Secombe: The Collected Memoirs brings together both volumes of Harry Secombe's autobiography - covering his childhood, the war, Variety, the Goons and on - and includes an additional section covering the last few years of his life. This section contains writing from Sir Harry himself and contributions from his family. This commemorative volume, funny and moving by turn, encapsulates the perceptions of one of Britain's foremost entertainers and illustrates why he became so well-loved.

The late Sir Harry Secombe, CBE, started out as a pay clerk before joining the Territorial Army. After WW2, during which he met Spike Milligan, he made his first professional stage appearance. Radio breaks followed, then the celebrated Goon Show, which propelled Secombe to fame. Secombe's ascent to the top of his profession continued through the variety theatre - five times topping the bill at the London Palladium, film roles, stage musicals and numerous TV shows. His other books include the novels Twice Brightly and Welsh Fargo, the children's books Katy and the Nurgla and The Nurgla's Magic Tear, Goon for Lunch, the Harry Secombe Diet Book as well as the two volumes of his autobiography.