Trivia

The inscription on his tombstone reads "Dúirt mé leat go raibh mé breoite", which is Irish for "I told you I was ill".

When Peter Sellers and Stanley Kubrick were stuck for an ending for Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964), it was Milligan who suggested the use of the Vera Lynn song "We'll Meet Again".

Roald Dahl had wanted Spike to play his character "Willy Wonka" on the big screen. The studio instead chose Gene Wilder.

Spike has at last been officially recognised by the establishment. He was awarded a knighthood in the 2000 New Years honours list. But because he's an Irish citizen (he refused to take the oath of loyalty when he became stateless in 1960, despite spending 7 years on active service in the British Army) he can only be awarded an honorary knighthood.

Once anonymously placed an advert in the 'lonely hearts' section of England's Private Eye magazine which said 'Wanted - rich elderly widow - object, murder', and got several replies.

Was a skilled musician, and played the trumpet and guitar professionaly during the second world war.

Once made out his autograph to a then unknown David Jason, which Jason treasured. Milligan later wrote the Phantom Raspberry Blower of Old London Town for The Two Ronnies (1971), and Jason provided them (which he claims to be a master at).

In 1994 was awarded a British Comedy award for Lifetime Achievement, where he famously referred to Prince Charles as a "little grovelling bastard" live on TV.

He considered Aladdin (1992) to be the greatest film of all time.

In October 1964 he appeared in "Oblomov", a play based on a book of the same name by Ivan Goncharov. The play was not a comedy, and he had intended to play his role seriously. However, the play was unsuccessful until Spike began to ab lib. After five weeks of success with the now transformed play it was renamed "Son of Oblomov", changed theaters, and continued to be a hit for several months.

Was a member of the Bill Hall Trio, a very successful jazz band near and after the end of WWII. While the band was touring in Yugoslavia, Spike found himself completely without money, and joined the local Communist party in order to recieve a free meal.

He became an Honorary Knight Bachelor in the 2001 Queen's New Year Honours List for his services to Entertainment.

Spike's parents and brother Desmond moved out to Woy-Woy, New South Wales, Australia. Spike often visited them out there.

His poetry is strongly influenced by Lewis Carroll and Edward Lear.

He got the part in Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979) when the Monty Python team found he was on holiday near their location.

His family came back to England in 1933 when his father was retired from the British Army in India.

While in World War II, he put on shows to pass the time with entertainment.

A memorial service was held for him at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London on 24 June 2002.

George Martin, the producer of The Beatles, was the best man at his second wedding.

Wrote a series of books detailing his experiences in World War Two and afterwards: "Adolf Hitler: My Part In His Downfall", "Rommel? Gunner Who?", "Mussolini: My Part In His Downfall", "Goodbye Soldier", "Monty: My Part In His Victory", "Peace Work", "Where Have All the Bullets Gone?".

Spike and June had three children, Laura Milligan, Sean and Sile (born in 1956).

Spike and Paddy had a daughter (Jane Milligan) in 1964.

Is portrayed by Edward Tudor-Pole in The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004).

He was awarded an Honorary CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1992 Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to entertainment.

Once said that watching the Japanese dub of 'Monty Python' (which starred the voices of Yasuo Yamada, Goro Naya, Takeshi Aono, Taichiro Hirokawa, Shozo Iizuka and Toshio Furukawa) was the funniest thing he'd ever seen.

Spike had a son (James Maughan-Milligan) after an affair with Margaret Maughan in 1975.

Radiohead's 2003 album "Hail to the Thief" was dedicated to Milligan.

Son of Captain L.A. Milligan MSM RA (retd).

Spike had a daughter (Romany) by a Canadian journalist in 1975.

Spike has a younger brother, Desmond Milligan.