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I was very fortunate to get in touch with a former star of the Benny Hill Show, Dee Dee Wilde. She appeared in Pan's People (as well as being a co-founder of the famous dance troupe) and was a choreographer on the show at the end of the seventies. A special thanks to Dee Dee for this candid look at her career.
When did you start on the Benny Hill Show and what was it like working with Benny?
Around 1978 and 1979. He was a great man to work with... kind and decisive, full of ideas. I was very aware I was in the company of a genius.
Were you always interested in working in Show Business? Did you have other areas you were interested in working?
From an early age I always wanted to be a dancer. It was the only thing I ever wanted to do.
Which (dance) routines did you appear in? How long were you with the show?
I only performed in Love for Sale - I think. The rest of the time I was his resident choreographer.
Can you tell us how working on the show affected your career?
It didn't, because being a member of Pan's People meant I was still very much involved in show biz. I just enjoyed working for Benny, full stop.
Are you married or do you have any children?
I'm divorced and now live in Wiltshire with my partner, Henry Marsh, an x rock n' roller from the 70's band Sailor. Remember them? Girls Girls Girls and A Glass of Champagne where two of their big hits.
What kind of work did you do after the Benny Hill Show?
Numerous things, too many to mention but most memorable were: producing two West End shows, one the smash hit, le Cirque Imaginaire with Victoria Chaplin, daughter of Charlie Chaplin.
Having a dancing role created for me at Covent Garden in the opera Das Rheingold, opening Dance Attic Studios, one of London's largest and most successful rehearsal studios and producing my wonderful children.
Did you have any close friendships with members of Hill's Angels or other people on the show?
Not really, it was more on a professional basis, though I was quite close to Louise for a while when she was in my group. When the group disbanded everyone went their own way. I haven't seen any body since, I don't think, except for Pauline Crawford.
Have you been able to keep in touch with the other girls on the show?
No.
Would you be interested in being a part of a bonus feature on any of the upcoming Benny Hill DVD's?
Don't know. What does it involve?
Could you give us an idea of what it was like being a choreographer on the show?
To begin with nerve racking. But Benny was so sweet he put me at my ease straight away. I also had excellent dancers to work with; professional and hand picked. It wasn't always easy though, one was on hand all the time and once the show got going it was hard work.
Are you surprised by the response of fans to Hill's Angels?
Not at all. Who wouldn't respond to a bunch of the best looking girls on television!
Regards,
Dee Dee
Special thanks to Dee Dee for taking some time to talk to us so candidly about the Benny Hill Show and other parts of her career since she was with the show. Dee Dee also has granted permission for me to post a link to her site and always appreciates letters from fans, but no silly stories or awful jokes, please. You can learn more about Dee Dee at her own official website, www.deedeewilde.citymaker.com. This is the second Q&A I have done and special thanks to Dee Dee and let's hope more legendary stars of The Benny Hill Show will get involved in more Benny Hill Stars Q&A's.
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