During the 1970's and early 1980's, Spike Milligan regularly caused mayhem as a guest on Michael Parkinson's Saturday Night Chat Show. Over the course of ten years he proved to be one of the most unpredictable and entertaining people Parkinson would interview.

During their encounters, the pair discussed such topics as Spike's early life and career, his writings and books, and his sometimes uneasy relationship with the BBC. Interspersed with the jokes and anecdotes were musical interludes - including the rare opportunity to hear Spike on trumpet - and regular bouts of random nonsense.

Michael Parkinson interviewed Spike a total of 10 times. This is what he had to say about the loss of Spike.

"You could make the argument that modern British comedy started with Spike Milligan. He was the godfather of it all," Parkinson said.

"He was not easy to get on with. If he took against you - watch out," Parkinson added.

 But the broadcaster noted that Milligan's struggle with mental illness lay behind his occasionally "obnoxious" behaviour.

"It was his condition that sometimes made him melancholic and awkward," Parkinson said.

He recalled an occasion when he had received a call mid-way through a live radio broadcast informing him: "Spike is here to see you."

"He just came into the studio, in his dressing gown, was brilliant for an hour, and then went back to his clinic," Parkinson said.

"He will be greatly missed."

Watch a tribute to Spike from Michael Parkinson here

"Someone once said about comedians, and I think it is probably sadly true."

He said, "when they die all they leave is the echo of forgotten laughter."

"I think in Spike's case, I think the ripples go further than that.

He will be remembered for a lot more than the echo of forgotten laughter.

He was a significant man."

APPEARANCES:

3 April 1982

to be researched and continued...