Benny Hill is one of the world’s most successful comedians. THE BENNY HILL SHOW has been seen on over 130 television channels throughout the world.
His is a language that entertains the world.
Benny made his live television debut in a revue called HERE’S MUD IN YOUR EYE and recognised immediately the enormous potential that television offered. He devised material for this new medium and became the first British comedy star made famous by television. His inventiveness and innovation would change the shape of television comedy for those who followed.
On the strength of his written material the BBC hired him for revues HI THERE! and SHOWCASE and he soon became an established TV comic. This success led to the premiere of his own show – THE BENNY HILL SHOW – and in 1969 Benny signed an exclusive contract with Thames Television which soon propelled him and THE BENNY HILL SHOW into a world of international fame and acclaim. Benny’s expert feel for television took every advantage that the new medium had to offer and by the late 1970s half hour editions of THE BENNY HILL SHOW began to air in America as well as worldwide. Throughout the years Benny retained tight control over his award-winning shows, writing all the scripts and composing much of the music.
Over the years Benny and his shows have received acclaim from the entertainment industry in the forms of many national and international awards such as ITV Personality Of The Year, BAFTA Light Entertainment Award for Production and Direction, the CRAFT Award for Best Script, BAFTA Award for Best Light Entertainment Programme, TV Times Hall of Fame Award, BANFF Festival Best TV Comedy Award, Golden Rose of Montreux/International TV Festival Comedy Prize and Charles Chaplin Award for Comedy.
Quote from veteran producer Hal Roach, responsible for the best of Laurel and Hardy, asked during a campus lecture if any modern comic measured up to the greats of the past “I guess there’s only one Benny Hill”.
The curious case of Benny Hill’s Will
English comedian Benny Hill (1925 – 1992) smiling. (Photo by Terry O’Neill/Getty Images)
Benny Hill is remembered as one of Britain’s most beloved comedians. His tragic death in 1992 came as a shock to many. Today, we take a look at the Will he left behind, and show you how vital it is to keep your Will up to date.
Hill’s legal Will was written in 1961- 31 years prior to his death. A lot can happen in 31 years- births, deaths, marriages and divorces, and much more, all of which can drastically affect the terms of a Will. Hill’s 1961 Will left his entire estate to his parents; by 1991, both had passed away.
As the beneficiaries in the Will had died before Mr Hill, the rules of intestacy applied; that is, the rules the law follows to decide who is entitled to a share of the estate. According to these rules, Hill’s brother and sister, Leonard and Diana, were next in line to split the estate between them. Unfortunately, they too were both deceased by the time of Hill’s death.
In the end, the entire estate-totalling £7.5 million- was shared between Hill’s seven surviving nieces and nephews. It was reported that Hill was not close to his brother and sister, so we can assume he wasn’t close to their children either- and yet they still ended up with a share of his estate each.
It emerged that another document was found, stipulating that Hill wished for his estate to be shared equally amongst certain friends; however, as this document was not signed and witnessed correctly, it had no legal standing and therefore Hill’s friends had no claim to the estate.
This shows us how vital it is to not only make your Will and update it regularly, but to also be sure that your Will has been signed, dated and witnessed correctly. The only way to ensure this has been done to a high standard is to seek advice from Will Writing professionals.
Accord Legal Services can write your Will, ensuring it is signed, dated and witnessed correctly in accordance with the law, ensuring your wishes will be heard. Speak to us today on 01744 807048, and give yourself and your loved ones peace of mind.