John Inman, "Mr. Humphries," dead at 71

Posted:
Mar 8, 2007

"I'm free."

John Inman, 71, died in St. Mary's Hospital in Paddington, west London, at 4 a.m. Thursday after being ill for some time with hepatitis A.

He was famous for playing ambiguously-oriented Mr. Humphries in the British sitcom Are You Being Served?, which ran from 1972 to 1985.

White-haired Mr. Humphries, the senior sales assistant in the men's wear department, was known for his "camp" behavior.

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

"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 U.S.A."

Inman's long-term partner, Ron Lynch, is said to be "devastated" at his death.

Inman had been taken into hospital for tests after problems with his liver. He believed that he got hepatitis through eating contaminated food.

His illness was revealed after it forced him to cancel the opening of a pantomime in London on December 9, 2004. He never worked again.

In 1976, Inman was voted Funniest Man On Television by TV Times readers and named BBC TV's Personality Of The Year.

However, gay groups criticized him for his stereotypical portrayal of a theatrical gay man. Inman countered that his sexual orientation was never declared outright in the series.