Hill's Angels in
TV Workout

Elfrida Ashworth

IMDB Entry

A closeup of Elfrida Ashworth as she appeared in the "TV Workout" routine. She appeared in The Cruise and The "Lady Godiva" routines, as well as making a brief appearance in the film "Labyrinth".

Louise English

Regular Performer/Hill's Angel (1978-1986)

IMDB Entry

Louise English as she appeared in the January 7, 1981 "TV Workout" routine. For many, Louise English is considered the "unofficial" leader of Hill's Angels, alongside Sue Upton. They were both very important to the Benny Hill Show, not only as Angels, but as supporting actors in many short skits with Benny Hill. Of course today, Louise English doesn't seem to make any more TV appearances, but works on the theatrical stage in England. There was a brief period where she even had her own official website, but for some reason, the site was discontinued. Louise, if you're watching, we all miss you very much and would love to see you again in some connection with the Benny Hill Show, especially in a DVD tribute.

Abigail Higgins

IMDB Entry

A still of fan favorite Abigail Higgins, from: the "TV Workout" routine of January 7, 1981. At the time of her two 1979 appearances (on the April 25, 1979 show, she appeared in the "Yield to the Dawn" sketch as Benny's new neighbor), Ms. Higgins was a member of the second coming of Pan's People, along with another future Hill's Angel, Louise English. Abigail became an Angel herself in the 1981 series, figuring in the dance routines of every show therein - and also displaying a knack for comedy, as evidenced in the "Channel Surfing" sketch (Feb. 11, 1981) and the "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?" quickie (March 25, 1981), just as a few examples. In that latter vein, she also appeared, uncredited, on and off in sketches and quickies as aired between 1982 and 1985, with the 1984 series being her most prominent (lusting after old man Jackie Wright in "Stupid Cupid," for example, or as a bank teller in the "Fingers McNee" sketch). Her only other known TV credit, outside of TBHS, was a 1983 Bruce Forsyth special, also produced by Thames.

Julie Kirk

IMDB Entry

Top: Julie Kirk as she appeared in the "TV Workout" routine of January 7, 1981. Also, two pics of Ms. Kirk from The Spotlight, one from the 1979/80 (middle) edition and the second from 1984/85 (bottom). Appeared as a receptionist in the 1978 film What's Up Superdoc! which also had TBHS soon-to-be mainstay Sue Upton (qv) in the cast; she was also among once and future Hill's Angels as one of the dancers in the 1984 flick Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

Clare Smalley

IMDB Entry

Another popular Hill's Angel, Clare Smalley, as seen in the "TV Workout" routine of January 7, 1981. She was a charter Hill's Angel, figuring prominently in the dance routines in the first five shows to feature the group. In her last credited appearance (the aforementioned 1981 show), she was the woman at the bus stop who, after many aggravations, turns into a "She-Hulk" (as played by Alison Bell). Post-TBHS, she was part of another troupe called "Auto Angels," and made an appearance in an episode of Not the Nine O'Clock News, as well as appearing with some once and future Angels as dancers in the 1984 movie Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. On her last two credited TBHS appearances, her name was spelled Claire Smalley.

Samantha Spencer-Lane

IMDB Entry

Actress, singer, dancer, and fan favorite Samantha Spencer-Lane, as seen in the "TV Workout" routine of January 7, 1981. A charter member of the Hill's Angels from its inception in 1980, Sam (as she is affectionately known to many fans) appeared in all but one of the shows within the first three series of the Angels' existence within the Hill show. Her electric smile and magnetic personality lit up many an Angels routine she appeared in (or, as quoted elsewhere on this site, "she was always giving 110%"). After the 1982 series wrapped up production, Ms. Spencer-Lane became part of a vocal trio, 'Girls Can't Help It,' which also consisted of Billie Adams and Jacqueline Bucknell; they put out an EP in 1983 on the Sire label, Pure Wild, and invited comparisons to another female group starting out around the same time, Bananarama; unfortunately, 'Girls Can't Help It' were never commercially successful, and disbanded in 1984. She would have one more go-round on TBHS in 1986, two of the shows of which had her as a supporting player in filmed sketches, but on the April 16, 1986 edition she figured prominently as one of the dancers in the "Funny Old World" number. In recent years, she has made a name as a choreographer in Britain. Ms. Spencer-Lane and Sue Upton accompanied Benny to see former Angel (and Hill protegée) Louise English in her first major West End (London) stage show, Me and My Girl, a few days before his death in 1992.

Sue Upton

IMDB Entry

Benny Hill's favorite Angel (and many others', too), Sue Upton, seen in the "TV Workout" routine of January 7, 1981. She first joined the show during the 1977 series, among her highlights there being as the Bionic Boy's first crush. By her third appearance on Dec. 26, 1978 (she would be in every remaining Hill show from then on), Benny noticed her upturned face lent itself to an old lady character, which she first played in the "Grand Wheelchair Rally" sketch; this led not only to the "Wondergran" sketches, but a recurring characterization as a feisty old lady - the archetype once played in the show's early Thames years by such genuine old ladies as Connie Georges. On the next-to-last Thames show in 1989, she even played Stan Laurel to Mr. Hill's Oliver Hardy in a silent sketch. Ms. Upton also figured very prominently in the Hill's Angels routines in their early years, indeed is regarded as one of the unofficial leaders of the troupe (the other being Louise English); in the show's final years, she also had a hand in the selection of future Angels. Her children, Richard and Louise Whatling (qv's), were among the "Hill's Little Angels" in the fading years of TBHS; she and her family have been widely cited as being like a "second family" to Benny outside the confines of his show. There is a website, SueUpton.net, which can give more about her illustrious career, as well as film and TV credits other than the Hill show, and several photos (in one of which she posed with Mr. Hill, Suzy Mandel, Jenny Westbrook, Anne Bruzac, and the then-current members of Love Machine of which she had been a part before either they or she first appeared on the show), than can be put in so short a space here.

Commentary

(Off-the-record: The slo-mo moves appear to have been a cover for what producer Dennis Kirkland characterized as Benny being difficult during the shoot. It may have been that the girls were to be followed by Benny running towards the hobby-horse and landing on his crotch - as would follow in "Keep Young and Beautiful.") - William Brown). The setting this time is the gym with plenty of beautiful Angels dancing to the classic tune "Runaway" which was originally recorded by Del Shannon. George Chandler provides the vocals in this excellent uptempo version of the tune, which is actually superior to the original with a fantastic horn arrangement. It all starts with Benny and Abigail Higgins on their honeymoon and Benny turning on the TV to watch the Angels, rather than notice Abigail's sexy lingerie. This routine is probably inspired by the aerobics craze that began in the early 1980's and the girls hop, jump-rope, stretch, lift weights and use various types of exercise equipment. Look for Elfrida Ashworth adjusting her top as the camera pans towards her, almost being exposed. Samantha Spencer Lane is positively radiant and really enjoys herself. Sue Upton uses a hula hoop. There are also plenty of short gags inserted throughout with Benny and the guys in a restaurant and bar watching the Angels on TV. The girls display their feminine beauty and youth through exercise, tapping into male fantasies about the perfect girl.

"Runaway"

(Written by Shannon & Crook)

I'm a walkin' in the rain
Tears are fallin' and I feel the pain
Wishin' you were here by me
To end this misery
And I wonder
I wa-wa-wa-wa-wonder
Why
Ah-why-why-why-why-why she ran away

I'm a walkin' in the rain
Tears are fallin' and I feel the pain
Wishin' you were here by me
To end this misery
And I wonder
I wa-wa-wa-wa-wonder
Why
Ah-why-why-why-why-why she ran away
And I wonder where she will stay

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