Product details
- ISBN 9781837053087
- Dimensions: 129 x 198mm
- Publication Date: 16 Jul 2026
- Publisher: The History Press Ltd
- Publication City/Country: GB
- Product Form: Paperback
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‘I’ve been moved, I’ve been made to laugh and I’ve been made to think.’ – Gyles Brandreth, Rosebud podcast
‘When you have Jeff around you know you are in safe hands, just as you will be when you read his book.’ – Su Pollard
Fondly remembered as Spike Dixon in Hi-De-Hi!, Jeffrey Holland is one of Britain’s best-loved situation comedy actors. An invaluable member of the repertory company of writer and director David Croft, his many other television credits include Are You Being Served?, Dad’s Army, It Ain’t Half Hot Mum, Oh, Doctor Beeching! and You Rang, M’Lord?
This unique memoir reveals the hilarious tales from Holland’s long and illustrious career, from the comedy greats that have inspired him to the colleagues with whom he has worked.
Heart-warming stories from his twenty-year association with Paul Shane and Su Pollard sit alongside poignant and deep reflections on his all-time favourite comedian, Stan Laurel, and revealing stories of working with the great and good of variety theatre, from Frankie Howerd to Ken Dodd. Not to mention blissful thoughts on his many happy years as part of Russ Abbot’s Madhouse, the joy of The Goon Show and the thrill of stepping into the huge shoes of Peter Sellers. Filled with enthusiasm and affection, The First Rule of Comedy..! is a life told through the eyes of one of the true greats of the genre.
Robert Ross is the leading authority on the history of British comedy. His sixteen books include The Monty Python Encyclopedia, The Carry On Story, Sid James – Cockney Rebel, The Complete Terry-Thomas and official BBC celebrations of Fawlty Towers, Last of the Summer Wine and Steptoe and Son. His latest book, Forgotten Heroes of Comedy: An Encyclopedia of the Comedy Underdog, was published by Unbound in 2021.
He is a frequent guest on radio, and his many television credits include interviews for What's A Carry On?, Top Ten: Comedy Records, Will the Real Basil Fawlty Please Stand Up?, What the Pythons Did Next, Richard & Judy and BBC News.
