Spike Milligan interview, Ireland 1987

Over 20 years following the publication of his first novel ‘Puckoon’ (1963), comedian Spike Milligan has put pen to paper again with the publication of ‘The Looney: An Irish Fantasy’ (1987). It’s another wonderful, imaginative, zany piece of work from the wonderful, imaginative and zany brain of Mr Spike Milligan. The book tells the story of Mick Looney, a construction worker from Kilburn in London. Mick was told by his father that he is a descendant of the High Kings of Ireland. Mick travels to Ireland to claim his throne. Spike refutes any claims that he is making a mockery of the Irish and advises people not to read the book if you haven’t got a sense of humour. Spike says the book is largely about his father, a proud Irish man who had a fertile imagination when it came to storytelling. What would you rather have? An exciting lie or a boring truth. His father’s ability as a storyteller helped to give Spike an open imagination. Spike’s Irish ancestors, the Ó Maolagáins came from Buncrana, County Donegal. Around the time of the Irish Famine, they joined the British army in order to survive. His father too joined the army and was posted to India where Spike was born. This episode of The Late Late Show was broadcast on 23 October 1987. The presenter is Gay Byrne.