Denis Goodwin was a radio and television comedy scriptwriter and actor, best known for his writing partnership with Bob Monkhouse, with whom he also compèred the Smash Hits programme on Radio Luxembourg.
Background
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 1944, his father Laurence Goodwin was killed by a V-1 flying bomb ("doodlebug") while waiting at a bus stop in South London.
Career
In 1948, while working at a department store, Goodwin approached Monkhouse and they formed a writing and comedy partnership that lasted for fourteen 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.
However, Goodwin was unable to cope with the fast-paced life in America and returned to England. After returning to the United Kingdom he was the scriptwriter for Bright"s Boffins (1970) and in 1974 wrote shows for Max Bygraves and David Frost.
In 1968, he was convicted of shoplifting from a West End shop. He committed suicide by means of an overdose of sleeping tablets, aged 45.