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Terence Alan Milligan, KBE, (16 April 1918–27 February 2002), known as Spike Milligan, was an Irish writer, artist, musician, humanitarian, comedian, and poet. He played the piano, trumpet, and saxophone and was the creator, the principal writer and a performing member of The Goon Show.

Even late in life, Milligan's black humour had not deserted him. After the death of friend Harry Secombe from cancer, he said, "I'm glad he died before me, because I didn't want him to sing at my funeral". He died at the age of 83, on 27 February 2002, at his home in Rye, East Sussex. A recording of Secombe singing was played at Milligan's memorial service.