During this period, he also worked with top comics including Tommy Cooper, Ken Dodd, Jim Davidson and Eric Sykes, whose 1979 remake of The Plank (directed by Sykes and produced by Kirkland) won at the Montreux TV Festival. But it was with Hill that Kirkland became best known.
During this period, he worked with well-known comedians like Tommy Cooper, Ken Dodd, Jim Davidson, and Eric Sykes, whose 1979 remake of The Plank (directed by Sykes and produced by Kirkland) won at the Montreux TV Festival.  This collaboration was particularly significant in establishing Kirkland's reputation.