R.I.P., Mr Humphries
from AntBlog701

R.I.P., Mr Humphries

John Inman, best known for his role "Mr. Humphries" in the British sitcom Are You Being Served? past away yesterday (8th March 2007) in St. Mary's Hospital, London at the age of 71.

In the series, Mr Wilberforce Claybourne Humphries was noted for his mincing walk and his effeminate voice.

I've been enjoying watching Are You Being Served? reruns.

John Inman
28 June 1935 - 8 March 2007

TV's 'Mr Humphries' dies:

JOHN Inman, star of the 1970s TV sitcom Are You Being Served?, has died in a London hospital at the age of 71.

The actor, 71, died in St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, west London, 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,” 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-time partner, Ron Lynch, is said to be “devastated” at his death.

The actor had been with Lynch for 35 years. The couple “married” in a civil partnership ceremony at London's Westminster Register office on December 23, 2005.

Inman played camp salesman Mr Humphries - with his famous catch phrase of “I'm free!” - in the comedy series Are You Being Served? for a decade from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s.

He starred alongside Wendy Richard, who went on to play Pauline Fowler in EastEnders, as well as Molly Sugden, Frank Thornton and Trevor Bannister.

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

It was revealed that he had the disease after it forced him to cancel the opening of a pantomime in London in December 2004.

Hepatitis A is an inflammation of the liver caused through eating contaminated food, which the star believed was how he came to have the virus.

It was initially hoped he would be able to return to the pantomime, in which he was due to play Wanda the Cook in Dick Whittington, before Christmas 2004, but he never worked again.

Dale said at the time that it was “not a serious illness” and that Inman was expected to be “fine”.

The actor's health problems in 2004 were the second scare in three years, after he spent three days in intensive care in 2001.

Then 65, he was admitted with breathing difficulties to St Mary's, the same hospital where he was later to die.

After three days in intensive care, he was given the all-clear and moved to a general ward.

Are You Being Served? depicted the antics of the staff of Grace Brothers, an old-fashioned department store.

Inman's character, Mr Humphries, the senior sales assistant in the menswear department, was known for his overt campness.

The actor's portrayal of the pouting character brought him praise and in 1976 he was voted Funniest Man On Television by British viewers and declared BBC TV's Personality Of The Year.

But he was also attacked by gay groups offended by his stereotypical portrayal of a theatrical homosexual, although he argued that his sexual orientation was never stated.

News: TV's 'Mr Humphries' dies (news.com.au)