Denis Goodwin
Encyclopedia
Denis Goodwin was a radio and television comedy scriptwriter and actor, best known for his writing partnership with Bob Monkhouse
, with whom he also compered the Smash Hits programme on Radio Luxembourg
.
Goodwin was born in London and attended Dulwich College
at the same time as Monkhouse, although there is no evidence that the two met at school. In 1948, while working at a department store, Goodwin approached Monkhouse and they formed a writing and comedy partnership that lasted for fifteen years.
Goodwin and Monkhouse wrote scripts for comedians such as Derek Roy
, Ted Ray
and Arthur Askey
. Eventually they were given their own television series, Fast and Loose (1954), which they co-wrote and in which they both appeared. However, Goodwin lacked Monkhouse's talent for improvisation and was less assured as a performer.
His creative partnership with Monkhouse gradually disintegrated and finally came to an end in 1962 when he was offered work in the USA on Bob Hope
's writing team. After returning to the UK he was the scriptwriter for Bright's Boffins (1970).
He committed suicide by means of an overdose of sleeping tablets, aged 45.
Bob Monkhouse
Robert Alan "Bob" Monkhouse, OBE was an English entertainer. He was a successful comedy writer, comedian and actor and was also well known on British television as a presenter and game show host...
, with whom he also compered the Smash Hits programme on Radio Luxembourg
Radio Luxembourg (English)
Radio Luxembourg is a commercial broadcaster in many languages from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. It is nowadays known in most non-English languages as RTL ....
.
Goodwin was born in London and attended Dulwich College
Dulwich College
Dulwich College is an independent school for boys in Dulwich, southeast London, England. The college was founded in 1619 by Edward Alleyn, a successful Elizabethan actor, with the original purpose of educating 12 poor scholars as the foundation of "God's Gift". It currently has about 1,600 boys,...
at the same time as Monkhouse, although there is no evidence that the two met at school. In 1948, while working at a department store, Goodwin approached Monkhouse and they formed a writing and comedy partnership that lasted for fifteen years.
Goodwin and Monkhouse wrote scripts for comedians such as Derek Roy
Derek Roy
Derek Roy is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre, an alternate captain for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League .-Junior career:...
, Ted Ray
Ted Ray
Ted Ray may refer to:*Ted Ray , real name Charles Olden, British comedian*Ted Ray , Edward Ray, British golfer-See also:*Ted Wray, Canadian politician*Edward Ray...
and Arthur Askey
Arthur Askey
Arthur Bowden Askey CBE was a prominent English comedian.- Life and career :Askey was born at 29 Moses Street, Liverpool, the eldest child and only son of Samuel Askey , secretary of the firm Sugar Products of Liverpool, and his wife, Betsy Bowden , of Knutsford, Cheshire...
. Eventually they were given their own television series, Fast and Loose (1954), which they co-wrote and in which they both appeared. However, Goodwin lacked Monkhouse's talent for improvisation and was less assured as a performer.
His creative partnership with Monkhouse gradually disintegrated and finally came to an end in 1962 when he was offered work in the USA on Bob Hope
Bob Hope
Bob Hope, KBE, KCSG, KSS was a British-born American comedian and actor who appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in radio, television and movies. He was also noted for his work with the US Armed Forces and his numerous USO shows entertaining American military personnel...
's writing team. After returning to the UK he was the scriptwriter for Bright's Boffins (1970).
He committed suicide by means of an overdose of sleeping tablets, aged 45.