For 20 years, the sound of a brass band theme tune heralded the broadcast of the BBC's most successful comedy show. The misadventures of Eric Sykes and his twin sister began with Sykes and a Telephone in January 1960 and ran until November 1979 when The BBC Honours Sykes was broadcast. When Hattie Jacques died the following year, any plans for further series were shelved, but repeats of the show continue to be broadcast to this day.