How Benny Hill is now a huge hit in Spain - despite sad demise of comedy genius trends now

He was the man who entertained millions with his comedy genius - although his fondness for scantily clad women would likely see him get the boot today. 

With his eponymous show that ran for nearly 35 years from 1955 until 1989, Benny Hill was a national treasure.

This week it was revealed that the late star is enjoying a revival in Spain, with a 2,000 word feature in a glossy supplement in El Pais getting attention as young Spaniards watch repeats of his show on Youtube.

But despite the enduring popularity, Hill suffered a sad decline later in his career and was accused of sexual assault decades after his death in 1992, when his body was found in his rented flat surrounded by dirty crockery and clutter. 

Born Alfred Hawthorne in 1925 in Southampton, Hill was remembered by his relatives and school friends as the 'class clown'.

He dropped out of school when still a teenager and worked first as a milkman before serving as a mechanic in the British Army during the Second World War. 

During the conflict, he entertained troops in variety shows and adopted his stage name in homage to comedian Jack Benny. 

After the war, he performed in music halls in London and then his first appearance on TV came in 1950. 

The Benny Hill show - which consisted of short, often risqué sketches, aired for the first time in 1955 and continued on the BBC until 1968. Then, from 1969 onwards, it aired on ITV.  

At his height of his fame more Britons tuned in to watch Benny Hill than the moon landing and the comedian won his first of many awards in 1954 when voted TV Personality of the Year.

The Benny Hill Show received a

read more from dailymail.....