Cook could have had Kennedy affair
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Tuesday Dec 8 2009
Comedy legend Peter Cook may have had an affair with socialite and former US first lady Jackie Kennedy, the star's pal and former colleague Alan Bennett has claimed.
Although a friendship between the two had long been known, it is thought to be the first time a member of Cook's circle has gone on record to suggest there was anything further.
Recalling the period, Bennett said in a BBC4 interview with Mark Lawson: "I think Peter, I may be libelling her, but I think Peter had an affair with Jackie Kennedy."
Cook, who died in 1995, struck up a rapport with Kennedy when he visited New York in the early 1960s with his Beyond The Fringe revue, which also featured Bennett.
The acclaimed comedy troupe - which also included Dudley Moore and Sir Jonathan Miller - were introduced to Mrs Kennedy and her husband, the US President John F Kennedy, during their feted stint in the city.
Bennett continued: "I have an image of her standing next to Peter stroking his arm in the dressing room and he certainly went to parties with her."
However, Bennett - whose interview marked his 75th birthday this year - said he had not questioned his friend about any affair with Kennedy.
"It's quite funny about sex and things like that ... There was never any hint that I was gay - they may have known that I was or assumed that I was but it was never discussed in the way it would be now."
Kennedy - who later married Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis - died in 1994.
Press Association
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