Michael Berry (26 September 1938 – 8 April 2009), known professionally as Lennie Bennett, was an English comedian and game-show host.
After attending the Palatine Secondary School in Blackpool, Bennett became a journalist for the West Lancashire Evening Gazette before becoming a professional hypnotist and appearing on the BBC light entertainment programme The Good Old Days in 1969.Gavin Gaughan, "Lennie Bennett" (obituary), The Guardian, 13 April 2009. He starred with Jerry Stevens in the Lennie and Jerry Show (originally titled Lennie and Jerry), which ran from 1978 to 1980. Bennett was also the host of Punchlines and Lucky Ladders in the 1980s.
He also performed in twelve Royal Variety Shows, and had a brief stint as a chat show host on London Weekend Television in 1982,TV host "Lennie Bennett dies at 70", BBC News, 10 April 2009. before working as a speaker on the after-dinner circuit.
Bennett suffered a serious heart attack in 1994, which necessitated a bypass operation. He died at the age of 70 in the Royal Lancaster Infirmary on 8 April 2009, following a fall at his home from which he failed to regain consciousness."Lennie Bennett dies", Chortle, 9 April 2009. His funeral took place at the Carleton Crematorium.Michael Berry: Obituary. From Blackpool Evening Gazette, 16 April 2009.
TV appearances Jokers Wild – panel game, regular guest, ITV, 1972–73 Celebrity Squares – panel game, regular guest, ITV, 1970s International Cabaret – variety show, host, BBC2, 1978 The Lennie and Jerry Show (originally titled Lennie and Jerry) – sketch show, BBC1, 1978–80 Blankety Blank – game show, regular panellist, BBC1, 1979–80 Punchlines – game show, host, ITV, 1981–84 TSW Opening Night – host, Television South West, 1 January 1982 The Kenny Everett Video Show, guest, ITV, 1983 Names and Games – game show specials, host, ITV, 1984–85 In 1987, Bennett was a guest on David Frosts show Through the Keyhole. Lucky Ladders – game show, host, ITV, 1988–93 You Bet! – game show, regular panellist, ITV, 1990 Fantasy Football League – guest, BBC, 1995 After They Were Famous – documentary, subject, ITV, 2004
References
External links
Gavin Gaughan, "Lennie Bennett" (obituary), The Guardian, 13 April 2009. Obituary in The Daily Telegraph, 13 April 2009.