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Are You Being Served? actor Frank Thornton dies aged 92 | Are You Being Served? actor Frank Thornton dies aged 92 |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Frank Thornton, who played Captain Peacock in BBC comedy Are You Being Served? has died at the age of 92. | Frank Thornton, who played Captain Peacock in BBC comedy Are You Being Served? has died at the age of 92. |
Thornton died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Barnes, London, on Saturday, his agent David Daly said. | Thornton died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Barnes, London, on Saturday, his agent David Daly said. |
He also played Truly in Last of the Summer Wine and starred in comedies such as Hancock's Half Hour and The Goodies. | |
Thornton is survived by Beryl, his wife of 67 years, their daughter Jane and three grandchildren. | Thornton is survived by Beryl, his wife of 67 years, their daughter Jane and three grandchildren. |
Are You Being Served? co-creator Jeremy Lloyd said he was "very sad to hear this news". | Are You Being Served? co-creator Jeremy Lloyd said he was "very sad to hear this news". |
"He was a great friend and consummate performer who was the glue who really held Are You Being Served? together," he said. | "He was a great friend and consummate performer who was the glue who really held Are You Being Served? together," he said. |
"He will continue to give people enjoyment," Lloyd added. | "He will continue to give people enjoyment," Lloyd added. |
Thornton appeared in several episodes of Steptoe and Son, which made him the most recurring actor in the series other than the main stars Wilfrid Brambell and Harry H Corbett. | Thornton appeared in several episodes of Steptoe and Son, which made him the most recurring actor in the series other than the main stars Wilfrid Brambell and Harry H Corbett. |
In later years, he had a role in ITV soap Emmerdale as Bert Dingle. | In later years, he had a role in ITV soap Emmerdale as Bert Dingle. |
Thornton's film credits included Carry On Screaming!, Some Will, Some Won't alongside Thora Hird, Wilfrid Brambell and Ronnie Corbett, No Sex Please, We're British and Gosford Park. | Thornton's film credits included Carry On Screaming!, Some Will, Some Won't alongside Thora Hird, Wilfrid Brambell and Ronnie Corbett, No Sex Please, We're British and Gosford Park. |
But he was best known for his role as Captain Stephen Peacock in the long-running Are You Being Served?. | |
With its innuendo-laden comedy and slapstick humour, the sitcom was a huge hit. | With its innuendo-laden comedy and slapstick humour, the sitcom was a huge hit. |
Ratings hit | Ratings hit |
Set in a department store, it also starred John Inman, Molly Sugden and Wendy Richard. | Set in a department store, it also starred John Inman, Molly Sugden and Wendy Richard. |
Thornton played the pompous store walker, who bragged about his military exploits during the war and looked down on junior staff. | Thornton played the pompous store walker, who bragged about his military exploits during the war and looked down on junior staff. |
Are You Being Served? ran from 1972 to 1985 and often attracted audiences of more than 20 million. | Are You Being Served? ran from 1972 to 1985 and often attracted audiences of more than 20 million. |
Thornton reprised the role of Captain Peacock for the spin-off show, Grace & Favour, in 1992. | Thornton reprised the role of Captain Peacock for the spin-off show, Grace & Favour, in 1992. |
His theatre credits included the West End musical Me & My Girl in 1984, for which he was nominated for an Olivier award for his role as Sir John Tremayne. | His theatre credits included the West End musical Me & My Girl in 1984, for which he was nominated for an Olivier award for his role as Sir John Tremayne. |
Of the original main cast of Are You Being Served?, Nicholas Smith - who played Mr Rumbold - is now the only surviving cast member. | Of the original main cast of Are You Being Served?, Nicholas Smith - who played Mr Rumbold - is now the only surviving cast member. |
Thornton's role in Last of the Summer Wine was another long-running character for the actor. | Thornton's role in Last of the Summer Wine was another long-running character for the actor. |
Arriving in the 1997 Christmas special, Thornton was brought in to play Truly of The Yard, a retired Metropolitan Police Officer, replacing original actor Brian Wilde when was struck down by shingles. | Arriving in the 1997 Christmas special, Thornton was brought in to play Truly of The Yard, a retired Metropolitan Police Officer, replacing original actor Brian Wilde when was struck down by shingles. |
He became part of the established line-up with Bill Owen and Peter Sallis - Compo and Clegg - until 2000, when Compo died in the series following the real-life death of Owen. | |
Thornton remained on the show until it ended in 2010, working alongside new characters played by Owen's son Tom, Keith Clifford and Brian Murphy. | Thornton remained on the show until it ended in 2010, working alongside new characters played by Owen's son Tom, Keith Clifford and Brian Murphy. |
Thornton's agent David Daly said: "I have been Frank's agent since 1986 and he has been the most wonderful client as well as being a great friend. He will be sorely missed." | Thornton's agent David Daly said: "I have been Frank's agent since 1986 and he has been the most wonderful client as well as being a great friend. He will be sorely missed." |