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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Benny Hill
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(1924–92) Comedian and impersonator who brought to television the lively tradition of the *seaside postcard. His long-running Benny Hill Show (BBC from 1955, Thames TV 1967–89) was written by himself; it was known not only for its blue jokes and scantily clad Hill's Angels, but also for considerable technical wizardry. As early as 1961 he played all four panel members on a Juke Box Jury skit, and for good measure impersonated the chairman, David Jacobs, as well. In that same year one of his best-known characters gave him a no. 1 hit in the pop charts (Ernie, the Fastest Milkman in the West). In 1989 Thames TV abruptly ended his show, after criticism of its content by Ben Elton and other young comedians.
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