Biography

Probably best known for his radio shows of the 1960s. "Beyond Our Ken" and "Round the Horne" broke away from staid formulaic comedy shows. The anarchic and risqué sketches pushed censorship to the limits, the collection of writers and performers trained here paved the way to let TV audiences see Monty Python and its worthy, or less worthy, successors. Thanks to Horne, Barry Took and Marty Feldman developed a writing style that brought Britain many of its best film and TV comedies, whilst the comedic timing of Hugh Paddick, Betty Marsden, Bill Pertwee and Kenneth Williams were honed to perfection. His sudden death in 1969 closed a chapter on British Comedy, and he is still sorely missed.
- IMDb mini biography by: garryq

Not to be confused with the playwright Kenneth Horne.

A memorial service was held for him at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London on 19 March 1969.

He collapsed and died of a heart attack while hosting the Guild of Television Producers' and Directors' Awards at the Dorchester Hotel in London. A recording of the programme up to the point of his collapse was shown later that evening as scheduled, with continuity announcer Michael Aspel announcing "Mr Horne was taken ill at this point and has since died".