Blog / The Forgotten Legacy of Benny Hill

Benny Hill 1924-1992

Why Was He “Whitewashed” from British History?

Before Jack Ass and after Charlie Chaplin. There was a Comedian loved by the masses and who pioneered Slap stick Comedy on Television, he was the Joe Rogan of Podcasts. 

Benny Hill, born Alfred Hawthorne Hill in 1924 in Southampton, England, was a legendary British comedian best known for *The Benny Hill Show*, which ran from 1955 and peaked in popularity during the 1970s and ’80s. His signature style blended slapstick, cheeky innuendo, parody, and fast-paced visual gags — often culminating in a sped-up chase sequence to the tune of “Yakety Sax.”
 
Hill was a pioneer of sketch comedy on television, and his influence reached far beyond the UK, earning a cult following in the US and across Europe. At its height, *The Benny Hill Show* drew over 20 million viewers in the UK and was syndicated in over 140 countries.
 

Why Was he White-washed from British Media

Benny Hill’s work was largely sidelined — in modern British media. Here’s why:
 
The emergence of  WOKE CULTURE or to put it more subtly:
 
 Changing Social Norms: Hill’s humor, which often involved leering at women, slapstick violence, and outdated stereotypes, became increasingly seen as sexist and out of step with evolving cultural values, particularly during the rise of political correctness in the 1990s.
 
 Falling Out of Fashion: As British comedy shifted toward more satirical, socially aware, or surreal humor (e.g., The Office*, Absolutely Fabulous, Blackadder), Hill’s brand of bawdy slapstick started to feel outdated.
 
 Posthumous Reputation: After Hill’s death in 1992, there was little effort to celebrate his legacy. Some felt his comedy lacked depth, while others viewed it as problematic. The BBC had never been a major supporter of his work, and ITV (which aired his show) was quick to move on after his ratings declined.
 
 No Scandal, Just Shifting Tastes: Unlike some entertainers who were erased due to scandal, Benny Hill’s fall from favor was more about the times changing. Ironically, he died alone and somewhat forgotten despite once being one of Britain’s biggest stars.
 
Despite this cultural sidelining, Benny Hill’s comedic legacy is still appreciated by many fans and comedians who recognize his innovative use of television and timeless slapstick style.

“Today in a Politically Correct Benny Hill style of slapstick would involve a slightly pudgy black man in a wheelchair chasing a group of lesbians and ladyboys.” 

Some of Benny Hill’s One liners, jokes and quips.

“I told the wife I’d take her somewhere she’s never been… so I showed her the kitchen.”

“I once took a girl out to dinner. Said, ‘Do you like seafood?’ She said, ‘Yes!’ So I opened the window and said, ‘See? Food!’”
 
“She had a face like a packet of broken biscuits—but I love a good snack!”
 
“I met a girl so posh, she called the dog ‘Darling’ and me ‘Here, boy!’”
 
“She had a figure like an hourglass… and I was watching her time run out!”
 
“I asked a girl if she fancied a quickie. She said, ‘As long as it’s quicker than last time.’”
 
“My uncle’s so bald, when he takes his hat off, people applaud—they think he’s doing a magic trick!”
 
“I went to a nudist camp once… couldn’t tell if I was coming or going!”
 
“I went out with a twin once. Took me a week to realize I was dating both!”
 
“My wife said I never listen to her… or something like that.”
 

 

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Today a Politically Correct Benny Hill style of slapstick would involve a slightly pudgy black man in a wheelchair chasing a group of lesbians and ladyboys 

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T.Khan

Content Writer at Giggle Gazette

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