Norman's stamp of approval

The king of slapstick set a benchmark for success

The Royal Mail is launching a limited edition set of stamps commemorating the career of veteran comic Norman Wisdom.

The honour comes as the 84-year-old comedian celebrates half a century in showbusiness.

The stamps bear a caricature of Wisdom in his trademark flat cap.

"Anyone who wouldn't be pleased would be mad - I'm honoured and delighted," said the star of such films as Trouble in Store (1953), Just My Luck (1957) and The Night They Raided Minsky's (1968).

"It's a very nice, warm gesture and I'm a lucky little devil," he added.

Wisdom is currently working on an adaptation of JB Priestley's Adam and Evil which he hopes will be made into a film.

He has no plans to stop working.

"I might stop when I get lazy but I don't want to get lazy. I have been very lucky. We call it work, but it's not work, it's fun for which I get paid," he said.

Wisdom was appearing at Stamp '99, a four-day international exhibition in London.

He was presented with a specially mounted Penny Black stamp to mark his 50 year-long career.