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Benny Hill Hospital Visit
Saturday, February 22
1pm: Michael visited comedian Benny Hill at the Royal Brompton Hospital. Benny was recovering there after a heart attack. Michael took flowers and told him, "You're my hero, you're greater than Charlie Chaplin." Michael told Benny he has hundreds of his videos and then asked him to appear in one of his pop promos!
Later, record company executives, including his publicist Jonathan Morrish, visited Michael in his hotel room. "He was in great spirits when I saw him", Jonathan tells "BIG!". He enjoyed his stay and had a great time. He's worked extraordinarily hard on Dangerous and before he starts rehearsing for the tour he [illegible] four or five days enjoying himself, which is what he had."
That night, Michael appears on the hotel roof. Later, he sent a note to fans who were singing his hits outside. The note read: "I am going to sleep now 'cause I have an early flight back to America. I adore you all. I love you, Michael Jackson". The fans shouted up to Michael to thank him and then stopped singing. Michael nodded off to sleep in peace.
Benny Hill was visited in hospital by his greatest fan yesterday - superstar Michael Jackson.
Jackson spent 35 minutes at the bedside of the 67-year-old comic, who is recovering from a heart attack.
He arrived in a limousine at the Royal Brompton Hospital, West London, shortly after 1pm and was ushered into Benny's private room.
The two greeted each other with an embrace. Jackson, accompanied by [friend] Brett, 10, brought flowers and said: "Great to see you at long last."
Benny tried to quiz Jackson about his life--but Jackson, 33, was more interested in asking Benny about how he makes his comedy sketches.
Michael was so mesmerized, he kept repeating, "You're my hero."
Then he said: "You are greater than Chaplin. Would you be in a video with me?"
Benny replied: "Of course, why not?"
Michael told Benny that he watches his shows every day and has hundreds of his videos. He asked for copies of our exclusive pictures, which will have pride of place in his bedroom at home.
Benny's show, axed from British TV after being denounced as sexist, is a huge hit in America. It has been sold to more than 100 countries.
Genuine
Benny said afterwards:
"Jackson is one of the most genuine people you could wish to meet."
Benny's best pal, TV producer Dennis Kirkland, revealed: "Michael has invited Benny to stay with him next time he is in LA."
Benny was readmitted to hospital with fresh chest pains after his heart attack 11 days ago. Doctors hope he will be going home tomorrow.
Dennis said: "...Michael's visit was the tonic he needed."
Later, Jackson and Brett delighted fans by appearing on their balcony at the Dorchester Hotel. The star threw a T-shirt and several pillow cases to the crowd below, while his [friend] launched a flight of paper airplanes.
Saucy comic Benny Hill got a surprise tonic as he recovered from heart problems yesterday — a secret visit from megastar Michael Jackson. Jackson sneaked into London's Royal Brompton Hospital to see Benny because he wants to sign him up for his next video.
Benny, 67, a cult figure in America where his sexy shows starring Ernie, the fastest milkman in the West go down a bomb, won't make a decision until he's recovered from his mild heart attack.
A showbiz insider said: "Michael is a big fan Benny's and thinks the idea of appearing alongside him in a video is fantastic."
22 February
Saturday
Goes to visit ailing “funnyman” of yesteryear, Benny Hill, who’s keeled over in hospital with a mid-heart attack. Michael tells him he is his hero: “You’re greater than Charlie Chaplin!”, he drools.
...Michael invites him over to stay with him next time he’s in America and there’s some talk of Benny appearing in an MJ video… Later that day, Michael and Brett jump around on top of their hotel balcony, eave, blow kisses to the crowd, fling paper panes at the fans and throw them down pillowcases with the words “I love England” on them. England is actually his favorite country in the world… Then he sends his legendary note and has a good night’s kip before leaving for Concorde the next day at 9 a.m. The nation regains its sanity…
