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| Comedy actor Inman dies aged 71 | |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Actor John Inman, most famous for the comedy Are You Being Served?, has died in London aged 71, his spokesman said. | Actor John Inman, most famous for the comedy Are You Being Served?, has died in London aged 71, his spokesman said. |
| Inman made his name in the 1970s show as Mr Humphries, whose catchphrase "I'm free!" entered popular culture. | Inman made his name in the 1970s show as Mr Humphries, whose catchphrase "I'm free!" entered popular culture. |
| In recent years he was a pantomime regular, most often taking the role of the dame. He also made appearances in BBC comedy show Revolver in 2004. | In recent years he was a pantomime regular, most often taking the role of the dame. He also made appearances in BBC comedy show Revolver in 2004. |
| He died in St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, after being ill for some time, his manager Phil Dale said. | He died in St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, after being ill for some time, his manager Phil Dale said. |
| Worldwide fame | Worldwide fame |
| John was one of the wittiest and most inventive actors I've ever worked with Wendy Richard Mr Dale added: "John 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 one of the wittiest and most inventive actors I've ever worked with Wendy Richard Mr Dale added: "John 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." | "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 Are You Being Served? co-star Wendy Richard told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "John was one of the wittiest and most inventive actors I've ever worked with. | Inman's Are You Being Served? co-star Wendy Richard told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "John was one of the wittiest and most inventive actors I've ever worked with. |
| "He was a brilliant, brilliant pantomime dame and he was a very good all-round actor, really. He was a true professional." | "He was a brilliant, brilliant pantomime dame and he was a very good all-round actor, really. He was a true professional." |
| Inman's long-term partner, Ron Lynch, is said to be "devastated" at his death. |