Denis Goodwin

For the rugby league player, see Dennis Goodwin.

Denis Goodwin (July 19, 1929 - February 26, 1975) 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.^[1]

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.^[2]

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.

References

1. ^ Bob Monkhouse Obituary - The Times
2. ^ Television Heaven

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Name	Goodwin,Denis
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Date of birth	1928
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Date of death	February 26, 1975
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