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."
Lady Bucket would indeed not approve of the preposterous order of your list.
I suppose the upper class is destined to forever be under appreciated and maligned by common people like you. :)
He was among the best. Great show, funny guy. He'll be missed.
RIP John.
It's pronounced BOUQUET!
I love "Are You Being Served" and all the actors in it, including John.
RIP Mr Inman.
Wendy Richard was in my store a couple of years ago. Despite the fact that I watch "Are You Being Served" regularly, I did not recognize her.
You know this because.......
Rest in peace, John Inman.
I preferred Penelope Keith in that, but all four were really funny.
Somebody check my meds...all the women I find attractive are sitcom characters.
Her character was, my good wife opines, "saucy". Ah, the 70's...when men were men, and women were bloody glad of it.
I thought it was pretty good myself. I rented in on netflix recently.
What a wonderful show
Ah, the show with one joke. That BritCom is like a train wreck that I just can't walk away from.
Two weeks ago, in the Dr. Who with the plant spore in the Arctic, the Good Doctor walks up to the lady dowager plant enthusiast painter lady and actually says: "These are very nice, Mrs. Duckett" to which she replies, "It's pronounced Du-KAY!" It was the World's Smallest Inside Joke, at least THIS side of the pond.
How about 'Allo, 'Allo? :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCpFGbmEjzo
I was watching an episode last week. The Minister asks Sir Humphrey to see why there are so many employees in his 'Dept of Administrative Affairs', with no clear job duties, and how they could be trimmed. Humphrey goes out and hires 500 more to "study" the problem !
Is Harold Bennett (young Mr Grace) still working?
Fawlty Towers is considered by most people as the best T.V. sitcom ever made.
Well, now I know what "don't mention the war" means. LOL!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=5MbeT7_ARm8
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