Frankie Howerd was the master of innuendo. Now secret tapes reveal protests over his smuttiness drove him to drugs
The bizarre home of comedian Frankie Howerd has been frozen in time since his death two decades ago. The life-size painting of Howerd over the fireplace, the 3D portrait of Elvis Presley, the gold velour sofa where the comic died . . . it is as though the house is waiting for Frankie to return. And no wonder, for he was the king of miraculous comebacks. Fifty years ago, Frankie Howerd stood up to give what he believed would be the last performance of his career. The former bill-topping star of hit radio shows, beloved by millions, had been left behind as the age of TV took over. Unable to get even the worst end-of-the-pier jobs in comedy, by 1962 Howerd had decided to chuck it all in and run a pub with his business partner (and secret boyfriend) Dennis Heymer. Howerd resolved to make just one farewell appearance. It was a performance that was to revive his popularity, putting him back on the path to national stardom. Now, thanks to an incredible cache of recordings found at Howerd...


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