The creator of the television series Rumpole of the Bailey, Sir John
Mortimer, has written a televsion play about the life of the late Benny
Hill. Matt Lucas, the star and writer of the hit BBC comedy Little
Britain, is reported to have been chosen to play Hill.
The screenplay will chronicle the life of Benny Hill from his childhood,
through his (sometimes controversial) comedy career, to his death from a heart
attack aged 68. The play explores how Hill, despite his energetic and
often 'raunchy' comic persona, sufferred from loneliness and difficulties with
women. He never married, and died alone in his apartment in 1992
after a comedy career that stretched over 30 years.
Speaking about Benny Hill, John Mortimer said: "I think he tried to be
cheerful but I don't think he had much luck with girls and he had this
incredible mean streak,"
"His mantelpiece was full of the cheques he never cashed. He died alone in
this awful little flat and nobody realised he was dead until they smelt
him."
