Lucky Jim? You can say that again!

Jimmy Tarbuck shares tales from his lifetime on stage and screen

- BY MARK JEFFERIES

HE was the youngest British comic to get his own TV show and became a 60-year veteran of stage and screen, so Jimmy Tarbuck has a lot of tales to tell.

And in his new autobiography, Laughter is the Best Medicine, he treats us to a few of them.

Like the time Sinatra told him “call me Frank”. And the time he failed to give Elvis Presley a lemonade.

There are good times with Bruce Forsyth, Eric Morecambe and Tommy Cooper - and tough times, including an arrest and release without charge.

After his breakthrough moment on ITV’s Sunday Night at the Palladium in 1963, Jimmy became host of the show from 1965 to 1967, as well as his own series, It's Tarbuck!

The proud Liverpudlian went on to host numerous popular quiz shows, including Winner Takes All, which he presented for over a decade, as well as Full Swing and Tarby’s Frame Game.

He then returned to stand-up and presented variety shows, such as Live at the Palladium, Live from Her Majesty's and For One Night Only.

In 1994, he was made an OBE for his services to comedy, as well as his charitable contributions.

He married Pauline in 1959 and they have three children - including actor and presenter Liza, 60.

Now 85, he concludes his first memoir by saying: “I've had a fantastic life. It's been wonderful.

“Would I like to do it all again? Yes, please!

“I wish I was just starting out. I've had the most unbelievable luck.

“Lucky Jim? You can say that again!

“But I believe that luck rides with you. That luck comes from the heart: from being sincere.

“And I sincerely say, to the British people: Thank you.”

Here, in his own words, are some of the highlights of Tarby's career...

On meeting Sinatra in Miami

He walked up to us, his hand outstretched. “Hey, Jimmy, how ya doing?” he asked. “F-fine, Mr Sinatra,” I stuttered. “Lovely to meet you. This is my wife, Pauline.” “Delighted, maam.”