Successful singers who also crack jokes successfully are few and far between but comedians who have made it into the charts are a much more common breed.

The most famous was undoubtedly the late Harry Secombe who, in addition to being everyone's favourite Goon, was also in the Pavarotti class of singers.

Ken Dodd found time on a number of occasions to put down his tickling stick long enough to produce great hit songs, such as Tears and Happiness.

In the same class is Max Bygraves, with an astounding number of gold discs.

Probably the most surprising of all the comedian-singers is Don Estelle, who plays Lofty in It Ain't 'alf 'ot Mum.

Don is in the Dick Haynes class of crooner but no one would have believed he is capable of keeping a straight face long enough to produce greats such as his version of September Song.

Des O'Connor's singing is often underrated but he has enjoyed a continuous stream of record successes for more than 40 years.

How wonderful it must be to make people laugh until the tears run down their cheeks and then bring yet more tears of emotion with a great tear-jerker ballad.

-Michael Parker, Lewes Road, Brighton