Editing Bob Monkhouse (section)

== Stand-up comedy ==
Monkhouse was a respected [[Stand-up comedy|stand-up]] comedian, known for his talent at [[ad-libbing]]. He became much in demand as an after-dinner speaker and wrote a book about the subject, ''Just Say a Few Words'' (Lennard Publishing, 1988, 1999).

He also became a favourite with [[impressionist (entertainment)|impressionists]], and, as his comedy style fell out of favour in the 1980s, he was mocked{{by whom|date=December 2021}} for his slickness and accused of insincerity.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}} He came back into fashion during the 1990s, and an appearance on ''[[Have I Got News for You]]'' helped to restore his popularity.<ref>https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/arid-30127387.html. Retrieved 25 September 2022.</ref>

Monkhouse's final stand-up show was performed at the Albany Comedy Club in London on 25 August 2003,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2016/12/23/26517/bob_monkhouses_last_gig|title=Bob Monkhouse's last gig|date=23 December 2016}}</ref> four months before his death. The show was broadcast by the BBC in 2016, November 2019 and April 2020 and in December 2023 to mark the twentieth anniversary of his death.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b086tw3q/bob-monkhouse-the-last-stand|title=Bob Monkhouse: The Last Stand|date=26 December 2016}}</ref> Among the audience were a number of British comedians who had been personally invited by Monkhouse, including [[Reece Shearsmith]], [[Jon Culshaw]], [[David Walliams]], [[Fiona Allen]] and [[Mark Steel]]. The show also included a rare public appearance from Monkhouse's friend [[Mike Yarwood]].