Barry Took

April 1992 was a sad time for British comedy. Within a matter of hours two inimitable British comedians died. Benny Hill and Frankie Howerd had delighted millions for more than forty years. Both began by entertaining their fellow servicemen in World War II, adapting next to radio and then to television. But each remained very much his own man, never compared to anyone else.

In their working lives they had much in common. Both trudged round the music hall circuit, appeared in West End revue and, at different times in different productions, played Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream. On TV they attracted huge audiences, Frankie Howerd notably in Up Pompeii!, Benny Hill in numerous variety shows which he wrote and in which he starred. Their performing styles were as different as could be, Howerd seemingly confused and shambling, Hill neat, saucy and the master of the double entendre.

In their private lives they were complete opposites; Howerd gregarious, Hill a loner. Both were in the spotlight for over thirty years and in Star Turns, Barry Took, who knew them both - and wrote scripts for Howerd - tells the bitter sweet story of their lives and illustrates their very special brands of humour

First published: Tuesday 3rd November 1992