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| Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em writer Raymond Allen dies, aged 82 | Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em writer Raymond Allen dies, aged 82 |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Raymond Allen lived on the Isle of Wight most of his life | Raymond Allen lived on the Isle of Wight most of his life |
| The writer behind the hit 1970s BBC sitcom Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em has died aged 82, his family has said. | |
| Raymond Allen, who lived on the Isle of Wight, created the hapless character of Frank Spencer, immortalised by actor Michael Crawford. | Raymond Allen, who lived on the Isle of Wight, created the hapless character of Frank Spencer, immortalised by actor Michael Crawford. |
| The sitcom ran from 1973, attracting audiences of up to 20 million. | |
| Michael Crawford paid tribute to Mr Allen as a "one-off". His family said he had given "joy and laughter to many millions of people". | Michael Crawford paid tribute to Mr Allen as a "one-off". His family said he had given "joy and laughter to many millions of people". |
| Mr Allen wrote a total of 22 episodes of Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em featuring the well-meaning and utterly accident-prone Frank Spencer who became one of the best-known characters of British TV comedy. | Mr Allen wrote a total of 22 episodes of Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em featuring the well-meaning and utterly accident-prone Frank Spencer who became one of the best-known characters of British TV comedy. |
| It was renowned for its heart-stopping stunts - all performed by Crawford himself. | It was renowned for its heart-stopping stunts - all performed by Crawford himself. |
| Cinema cleaner | Cinema cleaner |
| Speaking on a BBC documentary in 2016, Mr Allen recalled finding out his script had been commissioned while working as a cinema cleaner in Ryde. | Speaking on a BBC documentary in 2016, Mr Allen recalled finding out his script had been commissioned while working as a cinema cleaner in Ryde. |
| "I'd been writing for 16 years, all I got was rejection slips," he said. | "I'd been writing for 16 years, all I got was rejection slips," he said. |
| "I was mopping the ladies loos and remembered I had a letter from the BBC in my pocket. It said, 'We'd like you to come to London to work for us'. I was so excited. | "I was mopping the ladies loos and remembered I had a letter from the BBC in my pocket. It said, 'We'd like you to come to London to work for us'. I was so excited. |
| "I rushed and told the other cleaners. They looked at me and one said said, 'I cant understand that - you'd think they'd have their own cleaners'." | "I rushed and told the other cleaners. They looked at me and one said said, 'I cant understand that - you'd think they'd have their own cleaners'." |
| He described Frank Spencer as "a sort of loser - he was totally incompetent, very childlike". | He described Frank Spencer as "a sort of loser - he was totally incompetent, very childlike". |
| Some Mothers Do Ave Em starred Michele Dotrice as Betty and Michael Crawford as Frank Spencer. | Some Mothers Do Ave Em starred Michele Dotrice as Betty and Michael Crawford as Frank Spencer. |
| During his career Mr Allen also wrote scripts for other comedy stars, including Frankie Howerd and Dave Allen. | During his career Mr Allen also wrote scripts for other comedy stars, including Frankie Howerd and Dave Allen. |
| Mr Allen's family said he died peacefully on Sunday following a short illness. | Mr Allen's family said he died peacefully on Sunday following a short illness. |
| "His life's work gave joy and laughter to many millions of people not just in this country but all around the world," a statement said. | "His life's work gave joy and laughter to many millions of people not just in this country but all around the world," a statement said. |
| "Raymond has left us all with wonderful memories filled with fun, laughter and love." | "Raymond has left us all with wonderful memories filled with fun, laughter and love." |
| Michael Crawford posted a tribute on Twitter, describing his writing as "the epitome of innocence and naivety". | Michael Crawford posted a tribute on Twitter, describing his writing as "the epitome of innocence and naivety". |
| "He gave me, as Frank, the most wonderful dialogue to perform, we travelled a very long journey together," he said. | "He gave me, as Frank, the most wonderful dialogue to perform, we travelled a very long journey together," he said. |
| "Ray was a 'one off' for sure and still people watch 'Some Mothers...' with their great-grandchildren. Farewell, lovely man and thank you." | "Ray was a 'one off' for sure and still people watch 'Some Mothers...' with their great-grandchildren. Farewell, lovely man and thank you." |
| So very sad to hear of Raymond Allen's passing. I send love and strength to his dear wife, Nancy and their family. [1/3] | So very sad to hear of Raymond Allen's passing. I send love and strength to his dear wife, Nancy and their family. [1/3] |
| Follow BBC South on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk. | Follow BBC South on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk. |