The famous British sense of humour has long been Britan’s most cherished national characteristic. They have valued it above historic military victories and great works of literature, above their rich scenic landscape and their talent for invention.

Comedians, not generals or sports stars or scientists or politicians, are the truly loved public figures of Britain."He's a good laugh," is the warmest personal accolade any individual can receive from friends. The British ability to make a joke of anything is supposed to have seen them through wars and crises, saved them from revolution and political extremism. HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES . . .

Good evening and thank you for your applause.. . .

Julian Clary

There’s still nothing I like more than a warm hand upon my entrance.

I come from an old military family. One of my ancestors fell at Waterloo . . .

Eric Morecambe

someone pushed him off Platform Nine.

So I kissed Lucy, and I was very surprised to feel her tongue pop out. It was my first real snog, and I loved it…

Hugh Laurie

Sadly, the next year Lucy developed distemper and had to be put down.

Breast feeding should not be attempted by fathers with hairy chests…

Mike Harding

since they can make the baby sneeze and give it wind.

Those travel sickness pills mustn’t be working. I feels sick and I’ve taken four already . . .

Pauline Collins

and I’ve only travelled up and down the stairs.

The day he moved out was terrible – that evening she went through hell . . .

Wendy Cope

His absence wasn’t a problem but the corkscrew had gone as well.

Happiness is a good martini, a good meal, a good cigar and a good woman. . .

G.K. Chesterton

or a bad woman, depending on how much happiness you can stand.

When a man opens a car door for his wife. . .

Prince Philip

it is either a new car or a new wife.

That’s all folks…