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originally) launched on Channel 4 in 1990. Crackpot characters such as Graham Lister and The Man With A Stick could have waltzed in from a psychiatric ward. One newspaper called it “the worst comedy ever”.

“Maybe they were right,” laughs Bob.” Other critics saw a link to the surreal insanity of the Goons and the comic ineptitude of Tommy Cooper, with a dollop of cartoon slapstick. Jonathan Ross, whose production company made the series, said it “was like watching something beamed in from a parallel universe”.

The format evolved from Jim’s live show at south London’s New Cross Tavern. “I’d never seen anything like it,” says Bob – then a solicitor – who was dragged up on stage “to present a cheque for £1million” and ended up a permanent part of the act.

Their rough-edged comic anarchy swiftly found a TV audience. “It was quite punk to begin with,” says Jim. “We tried to do the show in one take, rehearse it and film it in 45 minutes so it had the feel of a live show.we didn’t rehearse in front of the crew because we wanted to make the cameramen laugh.”

BBC sketch shows such as The Smell Of Reeves And Mortimer followed before 1995’s comedy quiz Shooting Stars propelled them to another level. Baffled guests included Larry Hagman and Richard E Grant. Ulrika (ka-ka-ka!) Jonsson was a team captain. It ran for eight series, launching Matt Lucas to stardom.

The potty pair had pop hits too –