Angels In The Spotlight

An Exclusive Interview with
Penny Kendall

Left: Here is Penny Kendall as she appeared in the
"Keep Young & Beautiuful" routine of Feb. 11, 1981.

I hope this is the first of what could be a series of "Angel in the Spotlight" interviews. Although I know I won't get every Angel in an interview, Penny Kendall was very sweet to take a few minutes out of her schedule and give us a little background on her experience on The Benny Hill Show, her career and what she is doing now. Thanks again, Penny!

Calendar Photos & Autographed Photos I have added two photos of Penny when she posed for a calendar. Penny was also very kind to send me a couple of autographed photos. Just click the thumbnails below for a larger view. Thanks again, Penny.

Left: Here is Penny Kendall posing for a Calendar Photo.

When did you start on the Benny Hill Show and what was it like working as an Angel?
Penny: I worked with Benny Hill at the beginning of 1981. I enjoyed working with him and the rest of the cast very much and was very happily surprised to find out that Benny was a very sweet man and was always ready to help and make suggestions on how to portray or make a sketch come across in a funnier way. I had heard rumours about him from other girls that he was a dirty old man, but I can only say the complete opposite. I can truly say that in my case, having been a Hill's Angel, this was definitely a positive asset to my curriculum and I feel proud of having participated in a show with someone whom I consider a legend of British comedy.

Left: Here is Penny Kendall posing for a Calendar Photo.

Were you always interested in working in Show Business? Did you have other areas you were interested in working?

Penny: I was always fascinated by show business from an early age. My father was an actor when he was young in the theatre and did some film work but it was short lived. My Grandmother was a professional ballet dancer and my Mother was also a dancer in her younger days and also did small film parts. When I was very small I used to dream of being an air hostess or joining the Navy as both seemed like very glamorous jobs as a child. I soon realised that they were not. I joined the Italia Conti Stage School when I was 14 and it all started from there.

Left: Here is another photo of Penny Kendall as she appeared
in the "Keep Young & Beautiuful" routine of Feb. 11, 1981.

Which routines did you appear in? How long were you with the show?
Penny: I was, unfortunately, only with the show for a couple of months as I was contracted to another show abroad. Some of the sketches, to name a few, that I were in were, Keep young and Beautiful (scene is of me in the bath playing a snake charmers flute and the showerhead moving around like a snake), Ease on down the road, An occasional man, Down on the farm, Russian dolls and various others.

Left: Penny Kendall as she appeared
in "Big Poppa" (March 25, 1981).

Were you ever recognised as an Angel in public?
Penny: When the episodes came out that I appeared in, I had several people recognise me, but incredibly, there was a bigger response when I eventually moved to Spain. They were showing reruns of Benny Hill and the amount of people that came up to me was amazing. I only found out not very long ago that among the British on the island of Mallorca, I have been given the Penny Hill!

Left: Here is Penny Kendall in the
"Bus Stop She-Hulk" sketch of Feb. 11, 1981.

What kind of work did you do after the Benny Hill Show?
Penny: I did various TV shows such as the "Kenny Everett Show", Jim Davidson's "Whats on Next", Les Dawson's "Dawsons Watch", "The Sweeney", plus various others. Several small parts in films such as, "Valentino" with Rudolph Nureyov and Michelle Phillips, " The world is full of Married Men", "Odd Job" with David Jason, Video clips for Paul McCartney and Wings and another group called The Real Thing, numerous TV ads, modelling and fashion shows. Various theatre variety shows in England and then later in Spain. I also sang in a top variety show for 2 years in Spain, but now apart from the odd modelling job, my time is taken up in an Estate Agency in Palma de Mallorca.

Left: Here is an autographed photo featuring Penny Kendall.

Did you have any close friendships with other Angels?
Penny: I did not have any close friendships with any of the Angels I worked with although I got on well with them all. I was closer with Bob Todd as I had worked with him on several occasions in other shows, but I was friends with other girls who had appeared in the show at other times.

Have you been able to keep in touch with the other Angels?
Penny: I do not keep in touch with any of other Angels except for one who I got back in contact with and also went to school with.

Left: Here is an autographed photo featuring Penny Kendall.

Are you surprised by the response of fans to Hill's Angels?
Penny: I am amazed at the response from the American fans, which appears to be far greater than the British fans. I have repeated my words on several occasions that I think it is totally flattering after all these years that there is still so much interest. I think all of the ex-angels should be truly grateful to all of the fans for their support. I was only one of the many girls who became a Hill's Angel, but I would like to take this occasion to thank all of you that have been in contact.

Yours truly,
Penny Kendall.