John Inman Dies

[taxexile]

Actor John Inman dies aged 71

By Richard Holt and agencies

Last Updated: 3:59pm GMT 08/03/2007

Obituary: John Inman

Damian Thompson's blog: Inman played the fame game

John Inman, best known for his role in the 1970s sitcom Are You Being Served?, has died in hospital aged 71.

Inman: Known for phrase 'I'm Free!'

The actor, famous for his catchphrase "I'm free!", died in St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, this morning after being ill for some time.

His manager Phil Dale said: "John, through his character Mr Humphries of Are You Being Served? was known and loved throughout the world.

"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, is said to be "devastated" at his death.

The actor suffered from hepatitis A and had been taken into hospital for tests after problems with his liver.

Former EastEnders actress Wendy Richard paid tribute to her Are You Being Served? co-star, saying: "John was one of the wittiest and most inventive actors I've ever worked with."

Actress Rula Lenska, who was a friend of Mr Inman for more than 25 years and worked with him in pantomime, told BBC Breakfast: "I'm really terribly sad. I know that he had been very ill.

"My abiding memory of John is of joy and warmth.

"He was just a delight. I'm very proud to have known him, extremely proud to have worked with him, and very sad to lose him."

Fellow pantomime dame Danny La Rue, who had been friends with Inman for 40 years, said the actor was "fantastic and inventive" and had a "magic touch".

"He is utterly irreplaceable. The world has lost a star and I have lost a dear friend," he said.

At its height, Are You Being Served? had an audience of 22 million, but its popularity - and the strength of Inman's performance - meant he became typecast as a "camp" actor.

Nicholas Smith, who played store manager Mr Rumbold in the sitcom, said that Inman was actually much quieter, wittier and more reserved than his character.

"I once said to him 'If I was casting I would have you playing a peppery old colonel or a barrister - a completely different role'.

"He looked at me a bit sadly and said 'Yes, but they won't let me, you know."

daily telegraph uk.

sad news , it was agreat show and his was a classic character. r.i.p.

[Casanundra]

I am sure he shouted 'i'm free' on his way to the pearly gates too

[chiliwasabi]

Apparently Mollie Sugden (Mrs. Slocombe) was late to the funeral; she had this to say on the matter:

"The central heating broke down and I had to hold my pussy in front of it. It was frozen solid."