"When Kenneth Horne died aged sixty-one he was described as 'the last of the truly great radio comics'. In a broadcasting career which spanned more than twenty-five years he had starred in three of the most popular radio comedy series of all time - while for much of that period working full-time as an extremely successful sales executive." "Born in 1907, Kenneth Horne was the youngest son of a charismatic Congregationalist preacher and MP, who died when Kenneth was only seven. It was while serving in the wartime RAF, in which he rose to the rank of Wing Commander, that he broke into radio after compering a troop concert for the BBC. With his fellow officer Richard Murdoch he went on to create the hugely popular Much-Binding-in-the-Marsh, set on a remote RAF station 'somewhere in England', which ran for ten years." "After the war he successfully combined two careers, as Sales Director of Triplex Safety Glass, the firm he had joined in 1928, and as a broadcaster, appearing on hundreds of radio and TV programmes, including Twenty Questions and What's My Line, until he suffered a stroke in 1958 and had to give up his business career. After recovering, he starred in the legendary radio series Beyond Our Ken. This was followed by Round the Horne, acclaimed as 'the funniest comedy series in radio history', in which he presided over the antics of such immortal creations as folk-singer Rambling Syd Rumpo, Daphne Whitethigh and the ineffably camp Julian and Sandy.

" "In 1969 Kenneth Horne collapsed and died on stage while presenting a television awards programme. He left a legacy of laughter that will be enjoyed for many generations to come. In researching this book, Barry Johnston has had the active cooperation of Kenneth's family and friends which has enabled him to reveal the true story of the three marriages, two careers and private unhappiness of the man who brought so much enjoyment to millions."--BOOK JACKET.