Angels In The Spotlight

An Exclusive Interview with
Vicky Facey

Top: A closeup of the lovely Vicky Facey from one of her modeling shoots.

Bottom: Front, Left to Right: Sue Upton, Benny and Vicky Facey; Standing: Lorraine Doyle (left) and Zoe Bryant (right). Click this image for a larger version in a new window.

I recieved an email from the lovely Vicky Facey a short while ago and she graciously consented to a brief interview for Benny's Place. She also passed along some photos from during her time on the Benny Hill Show, as well as during her career as a model. Each of the images below is actually a thumbnail, so clicking on that image will open up a larger version in a new window. Hope you enjoy the interview and thanks to Vicky for taking part!

Top: Vicky (right) and Rian (left) used to have a singing/dancing act.

Bottom: Vicky looking sensational in a bikini.

What was it like to have known Benny Hill, one of the world's best comic genius actors that England has ever produced?

Vicky: It was a real honour, Benny was a lovely man and a good friend to me over the years. I felt very privileged to have known and worked with him. He had a great talent and was certainly a genius when it came to making people laugh. His humour was international and touched millions worldwide, many of whom still love him today. After his shows finished, we kept in touch by phone and letter wherever he was in the world. He always made me laugh and was very easy to get on with, taking time to encourage me with my career saying, "practice, practice, practice"!

Top: Vicky in a bikini (B&W Photo).

Bottom: Vicky in a pink dress with a feather fan.

Were you always interested in working in Show Business?

Vicky: As a child, when people asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would say a ballerina. I always loved dancing and had a flair for ballet but had never really thought I would go into Show Business professionally. I was working in London as a Production Assistant for a company producing commercials and as I often got asked to model or act in them, I eventually decided to take it up full time.

Top: Vicky in lingerie.

Bottom: Vicky Facey as a cavewoman.

Did you have other areas you were interested in working?

Vicky: I enjoyed the production side of Show Business from script writing, casting and shooting to the cutting room and final product. I always found business management interesting and that is what I went into after leaving London in 1989.

Top: Vicky is the driver with Zoe Bryant as gansters molls!!

Bottom: Left to Right: Zoe Bryant, Lorraine Doyle, Vicky Facey, Sue Upton, Carla De Wansey and Jon Jon Keefe.

Are you married or do you have any children?

Vicky: I have been married twice now, the first time when I was 21. My husband was a drummer and I was acting and modelling, so we were both very busy with our own careers, had married too young and sadly drifted apart. I married my second husband almost exactly twenty years later, but unfortunately he didn't settle when we moved to the Caribbean and returned to the UK, so we are now separated. I don't have any children and would still love to have a child but for now, I just have furry kids, (5 Cats and a dog).

Vicky as a girl of the old west.

What kind of work did you do after the Benny Hill Show?

Vicky: I moved to Bristol whilst filming Benny's last series for Thames and when it was finished I made the decision to leave Show Business completely. I went into Business Management and ran a large charity organising medical conferences and events around the world. It meant I travelled a lot and was able to use a lot of the skills I had developed from the entertainment industry. I have since moved to the Caribbean and assist the Managing Director of an Eco-Tourism Cocoa Estate.

Another shot of Vicky as a girl of the old west.

Did you have any close friendships with the other members of Love Machine or Hill's Angels?

Vicky: My best friend for many years was Vanessa Biddulph. She had actually introduced me to Benny in the first place. Vanessa had left the show, but we still used to dance together for various events. I also got on very well with Sue Upton who always made sure I was okay on set and was very friendly and helpful. I got to know Lorraine and Carla well. We had a really good time on set. It was rather like playing "dressing up" as children - getting your make-up, hair and costume done and then spending time together waiting for your scene. Benny was always great fun on set and made us all feel really comfortable and of course always made us laugh. I also really enjoyed working with Henry McGee, (a very talented actor) Bob Todd, (a real gent) and Dennis Kirkland who always made filming enjoyable. It was very sad news when they passed away.

Benny and Vicky Facey on the set as Joggers.

Have you been able to keep in touch with people from the Benny Hill Show?

Vicky: Sadly, I have lost contact with most of my friends from the show now. While I was in the UK, I had kept in contact with Sue Upton, Carla, Vanessa Biddulph and Dennis Kirkland.

Left to Right: Carla De Wansey, Vicky Facey (nurse uniform) and Johnny Hutch in the background.

Would you be interested in a Hill's Angels Reunion?

Vicky: Yes, I think that would be a really interesting and enjoyable party!

Benny, Vicky, Sue, Lorraine and the girls with The Red Arrows.

There is also a proposed 40th Anniversary Celebration of the premiere of The Benny Hill Show on Thames TV in the works. Are you interested in that as well?

Vicky: I think that it would be a good opportunity to catch up with old friends. Benny would have loved it to see all his friends together!

Vicky Facey (left) and Sue Upton (right) capture Benny as German Soldiers.

Would you take part in a featurette or documentary for a future Benny Hill DVD?

Vicky: Yes, I think so. It would of course, depend on the content and direction of the documentary. There have been some negative and unkind programmes about Benny and I would certainly not want to get involved in anything that was not reflecting him in a good light.

Benny (as policeman) with Vicky Facey.

Are you surprised by the response of fans to Love Machine and Hill's Angels?

Vicky: I am delighted there is always a great response to Benny's shows and talent and it is so good that it has kept going over the years. I know he would be really touched and happy with his loyal fans and their appreciation of him and his "Angels". You've done such a great job with the site, loads of research and so much time must have gone into it. I know Benny would love your site and be proud of what his fans have created.

Much love to you all xx
Vicky

Below: Vicky looking stunning in a pink bikini.