Friday March 20th 2026
91-year-old John Cunningham found great joy from the 75th Anniversary Edition of Dennis the Menace, released earlier this week
Written by Glasgow View Reporter, Liam Eunson
A resident at Bankhouse Care Home in Lesmahagow has shared a touching tribute celebrating 75 years of the iconic comic character, Dennis the Menace, reflecting on a remarkable career that helped bring beloved illustrations to life.
91-year-old John Cunningham found great joy from the 75th Anniversary Edition of Dennis the Menace, released earlier this week, celebrating the mischievous character.
John said: “I can’t believe it’s been 75 years – that makes me feel quite emotional and also quite old.
“Dennis was always very cheeky and up to all sorts of mischief. It was always a great laugh to see what the storyline was and every better that I got to bring it to life through my drawings. He was always up to all sorts, nothing like myself at that age but I could definitely say that a few of my friends were like Dennis The Menace.”
With ten years spent drawing Dennis alongside other Beano characters and Oor Wullie, John looked back on his early ambitions and the journey that followed.
John said: “I left school as a young man with a dream and a pencil in my hand, hoping to find my place in the world through art. I was incredibly fortunate to be given the opportunity to work as an illustrator for The Beano and Oor Wullie. This was something that made me very proud then, and still does to this day.
“I spent over 10 years bringing characters to life, and that journey later led me on to designing packaging for well-known companies. Looking back, I feel very lucky and proud for the life I’ve had.”
Dennis the Menace has been a staple of British comic culture for generations, and for those who worked behind the scenes, the anniversary marks not only the legacy of a mischievous character, but also the creativity and dedication of the artists who shaped his world.
Now residing at Bankhouse Care Home, the staff within the home say they are honoured to support residents with such rich personal histories, celebrating both their achievements and ongoing wellbeing.
Paula Bartlett, Home Manager at Bankhouse Care Home, said: “John speaks about his time as an illustrator with such passion that when we saw the Anniversary Edition, we knew he would love to see it. It unlocked old memories for him as we spent time looking through the comic and it was lovely to hear his stories.”
This milestone anniversary serves as a reminder of the lasting impact of classic British comics -and the talented individuals, like John, whose work continues to inspire generations.
Bankhouse Care Home is a 50-bed care home in the heart of Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire, providing nursing and dementia care for elderly residents.
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