The Stage

Comedian and writer Junkin dies

Published Tuesday 7 March 2006 at 13:15

Veteran actor, comedian and scriptwriter John Junkin died today at the age of 76.

The comedian worked with stars such as Morecambe and Wise, Marty Feldman, Ronnie Barker and Spike Milligan and acted in many TV dramas including Penmarric, Out and All Creatures Great and Small.

Five years ago he starred in EastEnders, playing Ernie, a mysterious stranger who suddenly appeared at the Queen Vic.

His own television comedy series, Junkin, ran for four seasons and his cult radio show, Hello Cheeky, also transferred to TV. In 1969 he hosted the panel game Give Me Your Word.

Junkin’s many writing credits included episodes of The Army Game, The World of Beachcomber, Queenie’s Castle, plus scripts for many top comedians, including Ted Ray, Jim Davidson, Bob Monkhouse and Mike Yarwood.

Junkin had been suffering from lung cancer, emphysema and asthma and died at the Florence Nightingale House in Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

A full obituary of John Junkin will appear in a later issue of The Stage.