Brighton - Whitstable
-
The Wishing Stone, Rottingdean
Mark Gatiss, Steve Pemberton, Jeremy Dyson and Reece Shearsmith got more than they wished for in Rottingdean when inspiration dawned in the form of a skittish local shopkeeper.
The League of Gentlemen comedy biography
Skip to top
-
Brighton Hippodrome
A statue of Max Miller stands in his hometown of Brighton.
After a 40 year lull as a bingo hall the Hippodrome is being restored to its former glory as a top live venue. Risque comedian Max Miller felt right at home in Brighton and the city now has a statue dedicated to him.
News article on Max Miller's statue
Skip to top
-
Stonehenge
Stonehenge (not actual size).
Wild things The Troggs inspired Spinal Tap by taping their in-studio arguments. The unprepared band unwittingly racked up 137 f-words on tape.The fictional Spinal Tap parodied rock'n'roll spats both on and off-stage.
Skip to top
-
Market Street - Benny Hill
Benny was the real life Ernie, with the fastest milk float in Eastleigh. His career took off in 1955 with The Benny Hill Show on the BBC.
Skip to top
-
Shawford Station
The memory of Victor Meldrew lives on.
Grumpy old man Victor Meldrew met his maker by the railway bridge in Shawford. The character's demise marked the end of a 6 series run for popular sitcom One Foot in the Grave.
One Foot in the Grave comedy profile
Skip to top
-
Quality Hotel Bournemouth
Tony Hancock recording in 1961.
Durlston Hotel was the childhood home of Tony Hancock. After the war his first success in entertainment came from a BBC radio show.
Hancock's Half-Hour comedy profile
Skip to top
-
Jack Dee's School (Kings' School, Winchester )
Jack Dee presenting Have I Got News For You.
Jack Dee found it hard to study at King's School, Winchester preferring to seek attention and laughs.
Skip to top
-
Ashford Hospital
Harry Hill making an appearance on Jonathan Ross.
NHS heartthrob Harry Hill ditched a career in medicine to focus on laughter therapy. His recognisable bald head and thick black spectacles first appeared on TV in the late 90s.
Skip to top
-
Reigate Grammar School
Walliams performed an outrageous sketch for the middle school assembly, putting his foot squarely on the road to camp theatrical comedy.
Skip to top
-
Winchelsea, Cottage Rod Hull
Rod Hull and Emu in 1976.
Comedian Rod Hull earned fame and fortune in the seventies for his act involving the fearsome puppet Emu. He lived out his last years in a farmer's cottage in East Sussex.
Skip to top
-
St Thomas Church Winchelsea
Much-loved comedian Spike Milligan was laid to rest in Winchelsea and his family made sure he had the last laugh.
Skip to top
-
Dreamland Pleasure Park, Margate
Marty Feldman in 1969.
"The one-man Monty Python" had a showbusiness apprenticeship working at the fairground. Marty Feldman's career as a comedy writer and performer spanned radio, TV and film.
Skip to top
-
Whistlestop Restaurant
Grouchy old socialists and trendy students were the audience for Alan Davies' first gig.
Skip to top
-
Video Exclusive: Alan Davies
Alan Davies: On Whitstable, stand-up and Jonathan Creek - "It always felt better to be doing your own material. You need a big ego to be a stand-up comedian and a fragile ego as well, as it's quite risky"
Skip to top
© MMIX