My dad essentially introduced me to all of the comedy I watched growing up. One night I remember him telling me we should watch The Best Of Kenny Everett’s Television Shows; it was some sort of tribute to a guy my dad said was brilliant but had passed away years ago. I watched this medley of Kenny’s silly, hilarious characters, celebrity send-ups, bits to camera, and fell in love. 

I wouldn’t say I was a lover of physical comedy (I don’t feel like I appreciate slapstick) and yet I honestly think watching Kenny Everett singing ‘Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?’ as Rod Stewart (as his arse inflates throughout the song and he floats up into the ceiling) is one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen. I estimate that I watch it twice a month on average. Rod was an actual guest on the show and a friend of Kenny’s, but nobody was safe from his caricatures, no matter how famous they were. 

I love Kenny’s sheer commitment to the bizarre and the exaggerated. I love the high camp of his attitude in every iteration and, in many ways, the total innocence of it all. His comedy was clever and stupid, had something for everyone, and expertly skewered pop culture, showing it back to us as the insane circus it actually is. What a shame we didn’t get many more years of his genius. I’ll just have to watch his Rod Stewart again.

Alexandra Haddow: Third Party tours until Friday 28 March; main picture: Rebecca Need-Menear.