27 February 2002
Comedian Spike Milligan dies

The actor and comic Spike Milligan has died at his home in Sussex. He was 83 years old.

He had suffered ill health for some time and is believed to have died from liver failure.

Milligan was known to millions as one of the founding members of the 1950s radio comedy programme, The Goons - along with Peter Sellers, Michael Bentine and Harry Secombe.

Also a respected comic author, Milligan became an Irish citizen some years ago.

The comedian Eddie Izzard paid tribute to Milligan, describing him as the "godfather of alternative comedy". Stephen Fry said, "Spike was always his own mad Irish self. He left comedy different and it was never the same after him."

News At One: Conor Mark Kavanagh looks back at the life and career of Spike Milligan, who has died at the age of 83

1.00 News: Colm Connolly reports on the death of Spike Milligan

6.01 News: Colm Connolly, Arts and Media Correspondent, looks back at the life and work of Spike Milligan