This collection of stories, diaries, tall tales and poetry showcases extremely well why Spike Milligan deserves fully the over-used phrase of 'comedy genius'.

Covering some of his best known work, including the full lyrics to the Ying Tong song, complete with stage directions, this book is guaranteed to raise a guffaw or two along the way.

Introduced by Eddie Izzard (a man who I'm sure we all agree knows a thing or two about whimsical surreal comedy), it doesn't stay shy of detailing some of Milligan's darker days. It is well known that he struggled with depression for large periods of his life, and the book shows the occasional glimpse into the reasons behind it.

Milligan was always incendiary when he took a shot at someone, for example his reaction to the praise lavished upon him by Prince Charles - "Grovelling little shit".

I also remember hearing a tale from the Monty Python crew, who when writing the first series of the show tuned in to see Spike Milligan's latest TV work, only to find that he'd got in ahead of them with sketches with no punchline, random links at entirely the wrong moment, and the general level of silliness that characterises a lot of the best of British comedy.

Milligan is responsible for some of the finest comedy of the 20th century - go and actually listen to the Goon Show if you don't believe me - and this book is a welcome celebration of his life and talent.