The star of the show is Peter Sellers, a man who has had a career littered with appearances on stage, radio and film. However, having died twenty-four years ago it is no wonder that the memory of such a well-liked personality is fading slightly. This book therefore seeks not just to relive the highlights of his career, but, at times it seems, rather a day-by-day diary account!

Perhaps his most notable works which are still alive today would have to be 'The Goon Show' and the tales of Inspector Clouseau in search of the Pink Panther. Rather than focussing on these national favourites, however, the book tends to extend far too finely over other events which leads to a comprehensive catalogue of his life but lacks the detail that may be expected.

Nevertheless, anecdotes provided by Spike Milligan and others close to Sellers attempt to construct the life behind the raincoat, hat, moustache and magnifying glass - unfortunately it is without much avail. For Sellers expressed himself that he was only happy when he could hide in character, and his ability to do so is demonstrated impeccably in performing three differing characters in one film!

Despite having some very insightful material, this book often merely mentions events in passing and rarely contributes specifics. It does have an array of photographs which are interspersed with the text, but unfortunately the relevance of some of them is questionable.

As The Pink Panther films are still widely viewed on television today this book is well-worth a glance; but if it is an in-depth analysis of such films that you want look somewhere else. Perhaps modern celebrities should give it a quick read too, since as Sellers was once booed off the stage it sends a stark reminder to the complacent actor that fame is fickle.