He is Hampshire's most famous comedy son.

Now a new play has been written about Southampton comic genius Benny Hill.

And exerpts from the play will be performed as part major event at the city's Nuffield Theatre.

Pieces from the play will form part of the theatre’s Experiment evening on Monday 1 February.

They will be performed alongside three other new plays in development.

“Benny Hill” written by Owen Thomas, is a fascinating life story of the hugely successful comedian who saw his work fall from favour and how this man of great wealth, led a frugal lonely real life existence.

Owen Thomas, playwright said, “As a child, Benny Hill was one of the first comedians I remember.

"I really enjoyed his combination of skilful mime work, carefully crafted visual sketches and, of course, his chase sequences.

"As I got older I became equally fascinated at how he must have felt to see a whole new raft of comedians come along and label his work as sexist and misogynist, consigning him, in some eyes, to the scrap heap of light entertainment.”

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“I have found a fascinating life story that merits the closer examination of the stage “

Born in Upper Shirley as Alfred Hill, the comedy icon, who counted Michael Jackson and Charlie Chaplin among his fans, was known for The Benny Hill Show.

He attended Taunton's School and began his working life in Eastleigh - holding jobs at Woolworths in Leigh Road, as a milkman at Hanns Dairy in Factory Road, now Wells Place, as a bridge operator, a driver and a drummer.

His exploits as an Eastleigh milkman brought the town more fame when he mentioned Market Street in his 1971 chart-topping song about Ernie, The Fastest Milkman in the West.

After decades of television fame the star, formerly known as Alfred Hawthorn Hill, died at home on April 18, 1992 - aged 68.

But Benny Hill, who was buried in Hollybrook Cemetery, still lives on in Hampshire with tributes to him across Southampton and Eastleigh including a road bearing his name, a plaque at Hanns Dairy and a memorial garden at Richard Taunton's Sixth Form College - and of course, viewers across the world still tune in to repeats of his shows.

The Experiment eveninig at the Nuffield is a quarterly scratch performance night offering a range of new pieces of theatre in development.

Artists present their work to test out new projects and gather feedback from a friendly constructively critical audience.

Other excerpts from new plays being performed include the life of Claude Eatherly who was part of the team that dropped the bomb on Hiroshima by John Foster; Joanna Mills who’s piece looks at being stuck in a routine and feeling like life hasn’t begun yet and Bok Theatre who are exploring the theme of teenagers being ready for sex.

Hannah Bevan, Laboratory Producer said “Laboratory is important to Nuffield’s work as every piece we produce gets development through Laboratory. It’s not just a vehicle for our own productions, but serves to support artists making work in the region and across the UK. “

Nuffield Laboratory is the creative development programme for new work and new talent; through which Nuffield collaborate with artists at all stages in their careers to experiment with new ideas.

Tickets are £4 and are available 023 8067 1771 or online at nuffieldtheatre.co.uk

Dates: 1 February & 23 May 2016 7.30pm

Tickets: £4.00