Bob Monkhouse's Showbiz Start in Blackpool

Amongst those luminary entertainers in Blackpool’s past was the quick-witted, sharp-suited comedian Bob Monkhouse. Though widely remembered as a master of television game shows and a consummate broadcaster, Monkhouse’s live stage roots ran deep, and Blackpool played a significant role in the evolution of his career.

First Steps in Blackpool: 1957
Bob Monkhouse’s relationship with the resort began in 1957, when he appeared in his first Blackpool summer season at the Winter Gardens Pavilion. Already gaining recognition for his polished humour and lightning-fast delivery, Monkhouse was not the stereotypical seaside comic, yet his performances captured the energy and glamour that defined Blackpool entertainment in its golden years. That same summer, Monkhouse also took on one of the resort’s long-standing traditions: he served as a judge for the Miss Blackpool Bathing Beauty Competition, a popular annual event that attracted both locals and holidaymakers.

Beauty competition 1970s UK. Blackpool pageant. Contestants in one piece bathing costumes as well as one girl in a white bikini line up with their backs to the male and female judges. The finals of the annual Miss Blackpool Beauty competition are held at Blackpool Lido every summer. 1970 HOMER SYKES © Alamy

A Return to the Pavilion: 1960
Monkhouse returned to Blackpool in 1960, once again taking to the Pavilion stage. This time he starred in Don’t Stop, You’re Killing Me, a show remembered for its creative blend of cabaret-style performance and dramatic storytelling. It reflected the evolution of seaside variety — moving beyond simple joke-telling into more ambitious, theatrical formats — and Monkhouse was perfectly suited to that shift.

Third Summer Season: Central Pier, 1965
His third summer season in Blackpool arrived in 1965, when he headlined at the Central Pier. By this point, Monkhouse was strengthening his national profile through radio and television appearances, yet he continued to embrace live performance. The Blackpool seasons offered him a chance to sharpen his act, broaden his appeal, and connect with the thousands of visitors who flocked to the seaside each summer.

A Legacy at the Seaside
Though Bob Monkhouse’s name is now most often associated with beloved television programmes such as The Golden Shot and Bob’s Full House, his appearances in Blackpool remain an important chapter in his career. They positioned him within the vibrant tradition of British seaside entertainment and helped cement his status as one of the nation’s most versatile performers.

He also performed at Lytham St Annes’ pier (St Anne’s Pier) in Lytham St Annes. The historic pier’s entry on the National Piers Society lists him among the performers: “Gracie Fields, George Formby, Russ Conway and Bob Monkhouse all performed at the pier.”

Blackpool’s theatres and piers gave him the space to experiment, engage with audiences, and showcase the razor-sharp wit that would later make him a household name. Today, Monkhouse is remembered not only as a TV legend but also as one of the many celebrated comedians who helped shape the cultural history of Blackpool’s summer seasons.