"Well twist my nipple nuts and call me Nancy!"
Posted on 03/08/2007 8:54:27 AM PST by rpage3
LONDON (Reuters) - Actor John Inman, best known for his role as camp shop assistant Mr Humphries in the long-running BBC comedy "Are You Being Served?" died aged 71 on Thursday.
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Inman, who later became a pantomime regular, was one of the sitcom's most memorable cast members and his catchphrase "I'm free" became part of popular culture.
In 1976, he was voted "Funniest Man On Television" by readers of TV Times magazine and was also named BBC TV's "Personality Of The Year."
He died at St Mary's Hospital in London after having been ill for some time, his manager Phil Dale said in a statement.
"John, through his character Mr Humphries of Are You Being Served? was known and loved throughout the world," Dale said.
"He was one of the best and finest pantomime dames working to capacity audiences throughout Britain.
"John was known for his comedy plays and farces which were enjoyed from London's West End throughout the country and as far as Australia, Canada and the USA."
Inman's long-term partner Ron Lynch was "devastated" at the news, the BBC said.
Actress Wendy Richard, who played Miss Brahms in "Are You Being Served?," said she had been regularly visiting Inman who had been seriously ill with Hepatitis A.
"You just have to regard it as being an end to his suffering," a tearful Richard told BBC radio.
"I think John was one of the wittiest and most inventive actors I have ever worked with. He was a brilliant, brilliant pantomime dame. He was a very good all round actor really."
Inman's character Mr Humphries attracted criticism at the height of the department store-based sitcom's success from some gay rights groups who were upset by what they saw as his portrayal of an over-the-top homosexual.
"He never ever said Mr Humphries was gay," Richard said. "He was just a young man who was very, very good to his mother."
Welcome. Thatcher was a HUGE fan of the show, so much so that she made a cameo appearance in of the episodes. Its not on DVD though.
Don't forget "May to December"....excellent show IMO....it's often overlooked and not played anymore in the US :(
He always seemed to be a very happy person. ;-)
Sir Humphrey: "Taxation isn't about what you need."
Jim Hacker (PM): "Oh, what is it about?"
Sir Humphrey: "Prime Minister, the Treasury doesn't work out what they need to spend and then think how to raise the money."
Jim Hacker: "What does it do?"
Sir Humphrey: "They pitch for as much as they think they can get away with and then think what to spend it on !!"
The episodes of that show has been released on DVD. And the only reason why I ever heard of that show is because it was released on DVD. :-)
I loved it. :-)
He was amazing. He made his character truly lovable!
Not sure about the character's name but the actress is in another show my wife likes. I think it's called "Rosemary and Thyme." They are gardeners and they solve murders, something like "Murder, she wrote" with British gardeners. I think Mrs Bear watches it on PBS.
RED DWAAAARF!!! You forgot Red Dwarf!!!
Toss off schmeg head.... ;D
FWIW, should also include The Two Ronnies
I can’t believe I didn’t hear about this when it happened.How sad.
I met Inman at a book signing. After years of watching the show, I never thought I’d meet any of the actors, then there he was. He was absolutely charming in person. How sad.
"Well twist my nipple nuts and call me Nancy!"
Sad to learn this about John Inman...belatedly.
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