MIKE YARWOOD: Hero Of Comedy.

[@robharding4028]

Mike Yarwood was the top man in the early 70's. He was the highlight of the week , on TV, Every week ! The saddest thing is, he got taken over by the drink, But he was such an honest man, he eventually admitted it had got a serious hold of him, We still think you were the very best Mike.God bless you.

[@johnskeffington5754]

Top man

[@ChrisAtTheMovies]

RIP Mike Yarwood, a legend of comedy and impressions.

[@andy6576]

Man, Yarwood was a LEGEND and a great part of my childhood memories.

[@denpemberton2901]

Rest In Peace Mr Yarwood. TY for all the LOL's & the larfs, brightening up a bleak childhood. ❤ so much talent.

[@Chris-pv2ht]

Brilliant impressionist still makes me laugh with the old characters that have sadly now died. Sadly Mike is now in a London nursing home Brinsworth House. I was shocked when I saw a recently photo of him with Richard O’Sullivan. I do hope he finds comfort and enjoy his remaining years

[@sharonjones873]

Love Mike Yarwood, he along with Morecambe and Wise helped to make my childhood magical xx

[@clivestuarteardley6049]

A very talented man. A legend of the 1970s for me growing up.

[@anthonywhiteside6845]

He was the best impressionist ever. If the voice wasn't spot on just look at the mannerisms. There has never been anyone with such a wide range.

[@elisabethj.v.beardsell9853]

I agree .

[@simonhodgetts6530]

I watched his 1978 Xmas Special last night - and it was excellent. Special guests? ABBA - shows just what a big draw his show was. It’s a shame he lost his way in the ‘90s. RIP a great talent!

[@keithmatthews9043]

It’s not until you see these clips that we haven’t seen for many years just how brilliant he was , I know I haven’t seen anyone since that has even come close , and to be so fortunate to have the very best in our early years, I appreciate what I had then so much now

[@martinplatt5928]

Mike was the first top impressionist that we were lucky enough to see on our TV screens. He could do almost anyone. All future impressionists see this gentleman as their mentor including Jon Culshaw, Alistair McGowan, Rory Bremner and a whole host of others. Mike was number 1.

[@Me-ll4ig]

Absolute legend of a man. He is still alive as we speak. Saw another KZbin video only a few days ago of how he is now. The most amazing ability. Never quite got the recognition he truly deserved. A TRUE LEGEND.

[@evanstj5]

I laughed all the way through this presentation. Apart from the So-vile moments. Then I shuddered, felt sick and wanted it to be over...

[@sharonjones873]

Saville and Stuart Hall.

[@ThonColinFilms]

Hearing Mike’s voice makes me so nostalgic for tv of that time. He should be given another series!

[@denpemberton2901]

I know he has now sadly passed on but as I was watching this I thought, could you imagine his Trump impression! (Or Biden...Or Boris!!). Would have had a field Day, especially doing Trump and Boris, the expressions, the mannerisms alone would be hilarious.. Rest In Peace.😢 Mike ❤

[@MrDaiseymay]

Agreed, except, free political satire, was killed off by PR, and then WOKE' etc. real comedy is DEAD @@denpemberton2901

[@dreamwarriorthresh]

Loved Mike Yarwood - grew up with him and Dick Emery and this is wonderful nostalgia. Forgot how bloody good he was...

[@abbamanic]

An amazing mimic, the voices were uncannily accurate

[@MrHairyNeck]

One of the best entertainers of the 1970s. Thanks for uploading.

[@jozefserf2024]

Mike Yarwood was more than just a very good impressionist, much more.

[@mariotedde3446]

The best impressionist ever, very funny

[@swingmanic]

Awesome!!..Mike was always my favourite impressionist!..It's good to know that he has conquered his demons and has his life back in order.

[@anneroberts9841]

Amazing impressions one of are best

[@Thetrackrecords]

Brilliant. For me what gives Yarwood the edge over most, if not all other impressionists is the way he could manipulate his face to look like different people.

[@funnyfiveminutes]

Thetrackrecords Absolutely agree. Spot on about Mike's face. It was so adaptable to many of his targets unlike most of the other impressionists.

[@GeorgiaGeorgette]

This is my first time seeing him and I'm shocked by how he seems to physically embody so many different people so convincingly! I've never seen anything quite like it. What a talent.

[@tanyaandelvis2698]

My favourite entertainer of all time..loved him, my hero

[@Steliosstylianou-f1y]

Same here - shedding tears of joy whilst watching this - myself &my dad would laugh uncontrollably then & I'm still doing the same now - dad passed away 12 years ago but was with me for the past hour or so - R.I.P. Mike Yarwood never forgotten -

[@Colsoloact-po9wv]

All due respect to Mike Yarwood, the greats of today still look to him as the greatest!

[@jeanettesteed3326]

Fantastic and also a lovely man

[@gerryan7831]

ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT ENTERTAINER 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 WELL DONE BEING SOBER 👏🏻👏🏻

[@jonyG1991]

I have done impressions all my life inspired by watching mike when I was a little boy

[@christopherbriscoe8665]

Pure genius. Mike was my best impressionist because his impressions were so life-like - even though we knew they were characquetures, he was so skilled at portraying them to real spitting-image (much better than spitting image) quality, we sometimes forgot it was Michael behind the face. Also, the other big positive in Mike's impressions was that he was a gentleman so he wasn't cruel, like the content of ITV 's spitting image was.Spittibg Image creators were spiteful in their content but Mike's was good, clean, comic style humour.

[@simon201063]

When people impersonate Prince Charles, they're really copying Mike Yarwood's impression of him.

[@Fcutdlady]

Apart from the fact spitting inage was on itv not bbc you're right .

[@MARKETMAN6789]

Nothing to proove he's already prooved how brilliant he is .and staying sober makes him a bigger star

[@chrisevans5259]

I remember the mike Harwood show was always a real treat in our home growing up in the 1970s and 80s........his impersonations were wonderful, and his facial expressions the best there's been,..... his Christmas specials were always highly anticipated,...and one of the great highlights of any festive listings ,. . .great times ,...fond memories

[@dlamiss]

His facial expressions for ALL the characters was superb

[@davidspencer3191]

Top impressionist..that's Mike Yarwood 👏 he was marvellous doing Larry Grayson 👏 😆 🤣

[@dannycarter1966]

The Yarwood/Grayson/ABBA sketch was great.

[@MrDaiseymay]

A FORGOTTEN HERO--AND SOOOO TALENTED.

[@alanhodges8839]

Not forgotten by me, but I’m only 81

[@MrDaiseymay]

@@alanhodges8839 Me neither, I was reffering to those TV executives, who hire the stars. I was enjoying my 82nd Birthday on the 9th Sept, whenIi heard the bad news. R.I.P Mike.

[@michaelgibson4705]

Time moves on most of his” victims “are long gone and forgotten at the time his caricature impressions were great,My favourite Eddie Waring

[@davidanderson3586]

He was someone who took impressions to the next level :-)

[@jennylast3149]

Mike as Eddie Waring brings tears to my eyes,Mr Yarwood is number one in my book

[@duncanholding7636]

His Eddie Waring had me collapsing on the floor it was THAT GOOD

[@23rdjune]

I'm 56 now, and have been doing impressions of Mike Yarwood doing impressions of people since I was nine! Thanks Mike.

[@eddiepower3876]

Never made it to tv then?

[@Ampex196]

Mike Yarwood was remarkable. Alan Boyd sums it all up.

[@robertbutler2481]

He was the greatest EVER

[@angiecuteass]

What a great talent! So glad to see he's still around.

[@garryharriman7349]

What a wonderfully moving documentary to a trully wonderful and talented human being.

[@passwordwork9153]

@@alanmac941 ,.

[@oceanfroggie]

Comic genius that never hurt a fly

[@paulwalker1793]

Mike was was a class act

[@MOGGS1942]

The much maligned Mike Yarwood. I love him. His Eddie Waring is a joy to behold. Steptoe and Son not far behind. I wonder how good his detractor's are at impressions. Right,no need to answer that.

[@dlamiss]

His Eddie Waring was absolutely brilliant easily his best impression IMHO

[@EdiDrums]

cf. the more maligned Stuart Hall. Now disgraced. His slurring voice is deeply unsettling.

[@francishegarty8087]

The best impressionist to walk the planet, an absolute genius.

[@francishegarty8087]

I don't see how this man could have detractors as he was that good.

[@blackmore4]

"Much maligned"? By who? About what?

[@alanhodges8839]

If there is another word greater than brilliant then that’s Mike Yarwood

[@TheJVSE]

Terrific man, I have his 1975 Jensen Interceptor in my garage.

[@kernowarty]

Well give it back to him then!!!

[@dagmargross6064]

SUCH a genius! And I think he was absolutely right to not upset the people he imitated, because that always brings down a lot of problems on the people who do, as we have heard far too often. British politicians at the top have always had so much power that they could have harm inflicted on anyone they perceived as their enemy... Yes, comedy can high-light bad government policies and he did hint at those frequently, but it was usually hints of things that everyone was fully aware of. Great to hear he conquered the drink! And I very much hope that victory has endured! Thank you for uploading this lovely documentary for us!

[@g13flat]

He opened the way for the likes of Bremner and Sessions who clearly hold him in high regard and there is no greater accolade.

[@simon201063]

Sessions does a dead-on Alan Rickman.

[@beachlife2968]

When i see someone with a great talent i then look to see if they are a great person and Mike Yarwood is. Very humble generous man. Just come from Bob Monkhouses last stand with Mike on it.

[@holaclive]

What a great impressionist. RIP 🙏

[@QuoVadis773]

Excellent..A great entertainer !!

[@maynardglam]

I loved his HaroldWilson impressions

[@Rebecca236]

One of my favorite impressions is when he used to mimic Des O’Conner laughing on the sofa! It was genius. 😅

[@billcobbett9259]

Nice to see Mike talking about himself frankly with no false modesty.

[@EllotusFreeholy]

Yes ~ brutal honesty, you just want to love this guy.

[@davefoster3918]

Excellent, I agree with all posts on here he was superb, better than the rubbish on TV now!

[@arthurlockwood8735]

Great men made me laugh so much for so long🤣❤️

[@hazelwalsh3269]

Shame that he is largely forgotten now... He had massive audiences! And was a household name in the 70’s and early 80’s

[@Rebecca236]

He was a genius!!! They should make a film about his life. Not recognized enough. Much better than the rubbish today. 🎥

[@byronelenica8329]

The King of impressionists. Dennis Healey is perfect 10. He still holds the record for the biggest audience for a TV show.

[@alanwitton5980]

Great British entertainer sadly missed

[@waldenhouse]

Brilliant programme, superb comedian.

[@logicalnetwork1611]

Mike was the Godfather of Comedy.No one has come close to this mans talent.

[@jamesmason9925]

Mike was fantastic! ... A genuine talent :)

[@christopherwright8811]

Wonderful and talented guy. Glad he has beaten the booze.

[@sunnymondays6106]

Thank you very much for uploading this 🙂👍

[@vinlab5937]

Comedy between now and then quite simple really I see comedy today don’t even smile in fact bored watch and see mike yarwood laughing hysterically within a second !

[@sirsamfay99]

13:00 Harry Worth into Eddie Waring ,I keep watching it and can't stop pissing myself laughing 🤣🤣😂😂

[@TomSanderson100]

I once saw someone go up to Denis Healey and say "Hmm I recognise the face but I can't remember the name" Healey replied "Its Mike Yarwood!"

[@peterevans3839]

Absolutely magnificent and from just down the road in Bredbury !

[@kennybrown4920]

Very funny tribute. Good to see that a lot of Mike's material has stood the test of time, unlike spitting image which looks very cheap and nasty now.

[@johnking5174]

22:27 - Johnny Amonds was also the producer of the legendary Morecambe and Wise. He produced Morecambe and Wise in the early series on the BBC until around 1974. He then joined them at Thames Television in 1980 to produce their four series and four Christmas specials from 1980 - 1983.

[@TheTanthius]

Total brilliance. Great impressionist!

[@MJ69ism]

He was bloody gorgeous

[@EdiDrums]

True comedy itself is how the colourful cast of contributors has aged over time. The irony of it takes nothing away from the Yarwood's greatness, it just makes the programme that bit more poignant. Well done John Fisher. (By golly, Stuart Hall is creepy, though). I did find Sinatra and John Major a bit off, but all other impressions brilliant. His Prince Charles surely the mould for Bremner's. Genius. Mike, if you are reading this, congratulations on such an impressive and busy career, not to mention two down-to-earth, honest and eloquent daughters. They are a credit to themselves, to you and your legacy.

[@timbrookes3699]

One of the very best in his line of work! He was also a very charming man. I met him and his wife, when they came to our home in Prestbury, Cheshire, which they eventually bought

[@helenraynauds8369]

amazing, darling Michael.. very, very talented man x

[@moggiee1]

Excellent - thanks for sharing

[@johnlarkin3821]

The physicality of his transformations was uniquely phenomenal, before he said a word ...

[@t.p.mckenna]

Perfect summing up by Simon Hoggart. The great joy of Mike Yarwood was the naturally ebullient comedian behind the impersonations.

[@stevebarclay1074]

Mike was inspirational to me, as a young impressionist.

[@jaggass]

his patrick moore impression was nearly bang on

[@JJmoony]

The Steptoe & son was pure genius Larry Grayson and Frankie howerd all brilliant comics and actors... Mike yarwood rules

[@ronaldcollinsproductions8240]

What a wonderful Impressionist his John Major is par excellent

[@johnthomson2846]

mike you are brilliant...jt

[@johnking5174]

12:25 - That joke was originally written and performed on Carry on Again Doctor in 1969.

[@peterwood-jenkins3634]

It was before Any Carry On Films they never did original sketches or jokes just repeats of other writers work

[@NoosaHeads]

For me, the best impressionist ever..

[@scottptolomey3498]

Some of his impressions were so on point others vocally just sounded the same but actual mannerisms facial expressions were fantastically morphed. His Harold Wilson,Larry Grayson,Dennis Healy,Sammy Davis Jr,Jim Callahan,Robin Day,Steptoe & Son have never been done with so much finesse. Alistair McGowan was another protege who could morph into character in the same vain. I think as more people in the 1980s picked up on the trend of doing impressions and broadening the spectrum it put Yarwood very much on the back foot and dated then very rapidly and fell out of favour. The difference being the latter were satirist Yarwood was an entertainer non offensive fun.

[@Chickadee54]

He was fantastic!

[@alphabetaxenonzzzcat]

RIP to Mike Yarwood.

[@twogitsinacar4811]

Whatever happened to Mike, He's a wonderful bloke, he should be back on our screens. Can anyone coax him out of retirement. Bob Monkhouse succeeded, Mike was there for his last ever gig !

[@scilliangecko1641]

mike lives in SURREY aged 77 now still alive has lived alone since 2007 in weybridge

[@hedgehog1965uk]

@@scilliangecko1641 Weybridge? Wow, not far from me.

[@pentuprager6225]

Mike Yarwood, miss those yeaes. Great to have the internet. Shame the BBC and other channels deleted many great videos of education and entertainment. 22:50 Jerry Lewis also wanted to see what was happening. Jerry Lewis is credited with inventing the video assist machine that movie directors now use and would be lost without.

[@MrMegan1962]

Who’s who of pervs, Jimmy Saville, Stuart Hall, and Ted Heath, love Mike though, first of his kind.

[@janetjohns3957]

@@MrMegan1962 and Jerry Lewis

[@christophersargeant6291]

Absolutely brilliant pure talent

[@BillyBronco73]

At the end of the show he would say "And this is me...." and start singing. Often you couldn't tell the difference.

[@stevejailbirdmatt]

Watching this now compared to when I watched it originally, it's amazing how my stomach turns when Stewart Hall and Saville appear on screen. Rolf Harris and Gary Glitter have also ruined so many people's memory of their youth, not to mention their victims of course!

[@hazelwalsh3269]

Steve Matthews me too!! And Ted Heath! Creeps!

[@ianbentley7276]

yawn, let it drop ffs

[@TryptychUK]

I never liked Savile. He was always an arrogant bastard, and weird with it.

[@mikemcandrew9585]

@@chokesmc me

[@MrAJR76]

​@flint the kaka harris No, not Ted Heath. None of the allegations (most made by lonely attention-seekers) were found to have any supporting evidence whatsoever. One of the 'accusers' was found guilty of wasting police time & went to prison for it.

[@tomkent4656]

If Janet Brown was around today she'd make a brilliant Theresa May.

[@merseydave1]

What a talented great entertainer ... I wish him well in whatever he wants to do next.

[@gimble8638]

omg david cummings, guess you dont know what your talking about !!!he retired in 1995, and would be 77/78 by now, hes doing what he likes lol, golf and drinking, as he has for the last 24yrs lol, so yes hes been enjoying what he DID!!! next for a long time :)

[@merseydave1]

@@gimble8638 I know that was some 20 years back ... as I said I wanted to wish him well in whatever "In Life" he wanted to do next in his life, when you retire life doesn't stop youd can relax or do other things.

[@martevo]

This is where whose line is it anyway could have rescued people. the likes of Mike Yarwood, Bobby Davro and Syd Little.

[@kenmorley2339]

He was great .

[@goonerdave1968]

The first great impressionist was mike,cant think of any better only one or two at his level.

[@hunkydoryize1]

unmissable was mike yarwood brilliant

[@McSynth]

Under appreciated genius.