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'I'm free'

John Inman Dies, Aged 71

Updated: 13:02, Thursday March 08, 2007

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

The actor died in St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, west London, after being ill for some time with hepatitis A.

Inman had been taken into hospital for tests after problems with his liver.

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.

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.

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

Comedy star John Inman

"He was one of the best and finest pantomime dames working to capacity audiences throughout Britain."

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

Are You Being Served? ran on the BBC from 1972 to 1985 and 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 catchphrase "I'm free" and 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 TV Times readers 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.