Over a Hundred Years of Laughter Quiz

Answer: Spine Milligna

Spike Milligan often introduced himself as such. Typing was not one of his strongest points.

Answer: C B Fry

Famous renaissance man CB Fry repeated this feat as a party piece - he was an international cricketer, rugby player and played in a cup final for Southampton FC in 1902. He was also a publisher and is reputed to have refused the crown of Albania, claiming it was too tight and didn't match his suit.

Answer: Eddie

From the "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy", Eddie is the name of the shipboard computer on the starship Heart of Gold. Endowed with a Sirius Cybernetics Corporation Genuine People Personality, it grates on everyone's nerves. Based on the genuine personality of Insurance Salesmen from all over the known universe.

Answer: Spiny Norman

More from "Monty Python", Dinsdale was a Piranha brother, a nasty crook who enjoyed nailing people's heads to the floor and coffee tables, and screwing people's pelvises to cake stands. Spiny Norman was the huge (imaginary?) Hedgehog who lived in an aircraft hangar in Luton and scared Dinsdale.

Answer: Simon Zinc-Trumpet-Harris

The incomparable "Monty Python's Flying Circus". Events include: Walking Along The Straight Line: The Matchbox Jump: Kicking The Beggar: The Hunt Ball Photograph: Reversing Into The Old Lady: Waking The Neighbour: Insulting The Waiter: The Bar: Shooting The Rabbits: Taking The Bras Off The Debutantes: Shooting Themselves. Some of these should be official Olympic events.

Answer: Minnie Bannister

A character in the "Goon Show", Minnie Bannister is the companion of Henry (Mnk) Crun. She is accused of flashing her insteps and is a spinster of this parish. Voiced by Spine Milligna, who is still a typing error, she was a favourite and appeared in every show, even those Milligna was too sick to appear in. Pewter Sailors aka Peter Sellers took over the job on these occasions, remarkably successfully too.

Answer: I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue

The late, great Humphrey Lyttelton attended Eton (as a pupil, he was not just delivering vegetables) and became a member of the Grenadier Guards after the war. Eventually, after becoming a successful musician, he was offered the chance of compering the 'Antidote to Panel Games' aka "I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue" and we have giggled like schoolgirls ever since.

His recording of "Bad Penny Blues" was the first British jazz record to get into the top 20.

Answer: Po

More gooneriana - Ying Tong Iddle I Po was a catchphrase and song from the early "Goon Shows" and featured heavily in this and 'A Show Called Fred' on TV. It featured the vocal stylings of Messrs Milligna, Sellers and Secombe, and a few guests.

Answer: They were singing Sweet Adeline.

Taken from the 1931 film, the Marx Brothers were in fine form in this romp. It is suggested Harpo sang his part in that scene, which makes it a rare moment.

Gibson, First Mate: I'm sorry to have to report there are four stowaways in the forward hatch.
Captain Corcoran: Stowaways? How do you know there are four of them?
Gibson, First Mate: Well, they were singing Sweet Adeline.

Answer: Rubber Bishops

Bill Bailey began by touring the country with other comedians. In 1986 he formed a double act, the "Rubber Bishops", with Toby Longworth (a school friend) who was later replaced by Martin Stubbs. They achieved a some success (or notoriety) before Bill Bailey went on to the fame and fortune he now enjoys.