Fantabuloso!
New Williams letters unearthed
A new collection of letters from Kenneth Williams are set to reveal new aspects of his sex life.Russell Davies, who has previously edited the comedians’ diaries and correspondence for publication, is working on a new volume of unseen papers.
He says he has unearthed letters that show a playful attitude that challenges the idea Williams was tortured by his sexuality.
In one letter from 1975, Williams, who died 20 years ago on Tuesday, wrote: ‘Here I am, nearly fifty, tottering around St Pancras Gardens looking for the odd bit of furtive pleasure and getting nothing. Not even a touch up.’
In another letter, he wrote: ‘I still poke about the bushes at Euston and St Pancras but it's mostly drear and my chagrin is obvious.’
Davies told the Independent on Sunday: ‘Until now we have only really heard from Williams's straight friends, who he wouldn't have been comfortable talking like this to.
‘He had quite a lot of gay friends who haven't spoken out. My fantasy is that there was a lot of this kind of stuff between them and these letters are evidence that that was so.’
The letters, written to Williams's close gay, but platonic, friend, Christopher Downes span 15 years and describe his ill health, radio shows, and his close relationship with his mother, Louie.
Published: 13 Apr 2008
