Lennie Bennett
| Lennie Bennett | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Michael Berry[1] 26 September 1938 Blackpool, Lancashire, England |
| Died |
8 April 2009 (aged 70) Lancaster, Lancashire, England |
| Occupation | Television comedian |
| Years active | 1971 - 1993 |
Lennie Bennett (26 September 1938 – 8 April 2009)[2] was an English comedian and game show host.
After attending the Palatine Secondary School in Blackpool, Bennett became a journalist for the West Lancashire Evening Gazette before becoming a professional entertainer and appearing on The Good Old Days in 1979.[3] Bennett starred in the Lennie and Jerry Show with Jerry Stevens. It ran from 1978 to 1980. He was also the host of Punchlines and Lucky Ladders in the 1980s.
He also performed in twelve Royal Variety Shows, and had a brief stint as a chat show host on London Weekend Television in 1982.[4]
He then worked as a speaker on the after-dinner circuit. In 1994, Bennett suffered a serious heart attack, which necessitated a bypass operation.
He died in the Royal Lancaster Infirmary on 8 April 2009 following a fall at his home from which he failed to regain consciousness.[2] His funeral took place at Carleton Crematorium.[5]
TV appearances
- Jokers Wild - panel game, regular guest, ITV 1972-73
- Celebrity Squares - panel game, regular guest, ITV 1970s
- International Cabaret - variety show, host, BBC2 1978
- The Lennie and Jerry Show (originally titled Lennie and Jerry) - sketch show, BBC1, 1978–80
- Blankety Blank - game show, regular panellist, BBC1 1979-80
- Punchlines - game show, host, ITV 1981-84
- TSW Opening Night - host, Television South West, 1 January 1982
- Names and Games - game show specials, host ITV 1984-85
- Lucky Ladders - game show, host, ITV 1988-93
- You Bet! - game show, regular panellist, ITV 1990
- Fantasy Football League - Guest, BBC 1995
- After They Were Famous - documentary, subject, ITV 2004