LENNIE BENNETTTributes were paid after the death of Lennie Bennett, one of the biggest names in TV comedy in the 1970s and 80s.With Jerry Stevens, he formed the stand-up duo Lennie and Jerry, and entertained thousands in traditional end-of-the-pier variety shows, theatre and cabaret,and millions more on television.After the duo went their separate ways, Lennie found renewed fame as a television quizmaster, taking on Punchlines, Celebrity Squares and Lucky Ladders.He died in Blackpool, his home town, on 8 April, 2009, aged 70.Ventriloquist Keith Harris said: "Lennie was a very, very good comic and quite before his time."He'll be making them laugh up there in heaven. I'd say he was the first alternative comic, a kind of Jimmy Carr of his day."Comedian Roy Walker added: "Lennie was very much his own man who was a huge name on television for a long time. He was a cheeky, quirky comic who will be sadly missed."Comic Frank Carson said: "He was an absolutely wonderful fellow and we had lots of laughs together. He was a very funny comedian and a very good performer.”In later years Lennie was in demand on the after dinner speaking circuit and was also a keen golfer. His real name was Mike Berry and he got into entertainment after taking a job as showbiz reporter for The Gazette in Blackpool.In 1994 he suffered a serious heart attack, which prompted a bypass operation. He died after a fall at home and a short illness.
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