Eric Sykes, writer, comedian and actor, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at the New London Theatre, having been led to believe he was there for a business meeting. Eric began his performing career in troop entertainment shows during the Second World War while serving in the Royal Air Force. After demob, he spent some time with Oldham Repertory Theatre, before moving to London where he began providing scripts for comedians Bill Fraser and Frankie Howerd. This led to him writing regularly for BBC radio, contributing material to such shows as Educating Archie and Variety Bandbox. Following a successful transition from radio to television in the 1950s, he became a television star in his own right during the 1960s, when he appeared with actress Hattie Jacques in several popular BBC television comedy series, in particular the eponymous Sykes "Is this a joke? I could have been wearing a sweatshirt!"