The letters of Spike Milligan include some of the best writings he has ever composed. Collected here for the first time, they are the funniest, most offensive, and revealing of these – most of which have never seen the light of day – from one of the greatest comedians of the twentieth century to some of the most famous politicians, actors, celebrities, and rock stars (as well as a number of unlikely individuals on some astounding topics): round tea bags ('what did you do with the corners?'), backless hospital gowns ('beyond my comprehension'), sincere apologies ('sorry for existing'), and the imbalance of male and female ornamental ducks in London parks. Here, then, is the real Spike Milligan: obsessive, offensive, generous, and unceasingly witty. ‘Milligan’s madness shines' - Telegraph. ‘The godfather of alternative comedy’ - Eddie Izzard. Spike Milligan was one of the greatest and most influential comedians of the twentieth century. Born in India in 1918, he served in the Royal Artillery during World War II in North Africa and Italy. At the end of the war, he built a career as a jazz musician, writer, and performer, before collaborating with Peter Sellers and Harry Secombe to form the legendary show Goon Show. By the time of his death in 2002, he had succeeded both on stage and screen and as the author of more than eighty books of fiction, memoirs, poetry, plays, cartoons, and children’s stories.