Love Machine Q&A
Claire Lutter

Another Love Machine member has consented to an interview! This time, it's the lovely Claire Lutter!

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

I was quite star struck at first but Benny ended up being a very close friend.

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

Always from the age of 4 I wanted to be a dancer.

Which (dance) routines did you appear in? How long were you with the show?

"Tornado" (which was a disaster) "Think of the Boys", "The Flash" and "Dancing in the Nude".

Can you tell us how working on the Benny Hill show impacted your career?

It made "The Love Machine" very well known early in their career.

Are you married or do you have any children?

I have a long-term boyfriend, Rayner Bourton, who played Rocky in the original Rocky Horror Show. I have 2 lovely cats; Tippex and Vegemite.

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

West End Shows including "The King and I" at the London Palladium starring Yul Brynner, TV entertainment shows, commercials, trade shows, dance groups, choreography. Also appeared in 2 films; James Bond "Never Say Never Again" and "Shanghai Express".

Could you talk a little bit about how you got involved in Love Machine and the friendships you share with each other?

Libby Roberts and I were in a cabaret group with Sue Upton for a very short season at the Stork Room in London (does not exist now). When the contract finished, Libby and I decided to form a new group called "The Love Machine" to perform in nightclubs all over the country. We recruited two other girls including a dancer called Lynn Collins. After some time we ended up with the line-up you have seen on the "Benny Hill Show". Teresa and I have always been close friends and lately I have seen more of the other girls.

Have you been able to keep in touch with other people on the show, apart from the members of Love Machine?

No.

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

Possibly.

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

No, not with "The Love Machine", as we were the first dance group to appear and do a dance routine.

On behalf of Benny Hill fans and fans of Love Machine, I want to express my gratitude to Claire for this interview!