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KINGS OF CAMP

THE BLACKPOOL GAY DIRECTORY

   

Our Camp Contenders

 

John Inman
1935 - 2007

Not much information seems to be available on the private life of this star who was a legend in his own lifetime. However, it would be completely unthinkable to have a 'camp' theme on this website without honouring the epitome of camp, Mr. Wilberforce Clayborne Humphries, the menswear assistant of Grace Bros. in the immortal sitcom, 'Are You Being Served?'

John Inman.The legend was born Frederick John Inman on the 28th June 1935 in Preston (although some say he was born in nearby Blackpool), Lancashire, England, UK.  At 21, he joined a touring repertory theatre company, but his first appearances are reported to have been on Blackpool's South Pier in a play called "Freda" when he was just thirteen years old.

John Inman made innumerable appearances on television.  He was a well-seasoned cabaret and stage performer having starred all over Britain (and many places abroad), with notable leading roles in London’s West End.  His West End debut was at the Cambridge Theatre in the musical 'Ann Veronica', and leading parts followed that in 'Salad Days', 'Let's Get Laid', and in the production of 'Charley's Aunt' at the Adelphi, where he played ‘Lord Fancourt Babberley’.

Are you being served?In 1972, John's camp portrayal of the menswear assistant, Mr Humphries, in the long-running series 'Are You Being Served', made him a household name.  He always  claimed he based the role on assistants he had known in days he served as a window-dresser, a job undertaken both at Fox's Outfitters in Church Street, Blackpool, and later at an Austin Reed store in London.

Sixty-nine episodes were filmed during ten seasons, from 1972 to 1985, and at one point the audience figures reached 22 million. The episodes are still popular today, with people continually asking for more and some cable stations showing them six at a time, back to  back.  There are fan clubs and appreciation societies throughout the world, especially in Canada, the USA, Australia and New Zealand.  John also starred in an Australian version of  'Are You Being Served'.  There has been a stage version too, and a feature film made for EMI, in which John re-created his unique role.

He was the subject of ITV’s 'This Is Your Life', and was honoured by the Variety Club of Great Britain as their ‘BBC Television Personality Of The Year’.  Shortly after that, in 1976, he was voted the ‘Funniest Man On Television’ by the readers of TV Times. John appeared in three Royal Variety Performances, and Children’s’ Variety Performances, and at different times had entertained most members of the Royal Family. 

Despite the major successes of all his shows, and world tours, ('Fancy Free', 'Pyjama Tops', and 'My Fat Friend', to name but three), he always returned home for pantomime each year. John astoundingly appeared in more than forty pantomimes.

In December 2004 illness forced John to pull out of the pantomime Dick Whittington in London in which he was due to play Wanda the Cook. He was found to be suffering from Hepatitis A, a disease affecting the liver which is usually caused by eating contaminated food. He never worked again.

John Inman died at 4am on March 8th 2007 at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, of a Hepatitis A related illness. He was aged 71 years. His partner of 35 years, Ron Lynch, was said to be "devastated". Their relationship had always been kept from the public until on Xmas Eve in 2005 they married in a Civil Ceremony at London's Westminster Registry Office. 

On news of his death, tributes immediately poured in from all corners of the world, and as was fitting for such a person, much time was given to him and his career on all the day's radio and television news bulletins. Wendy Richard, his co-star in "Are You Being Served", openly wept on television as she paid tribute to her friend. She had often visited him throughout his illness.

The man who made: "I'm free!" a household saying the world over has left free behind him roles that can never again be filled in quite the same way. John Inman, Mr Humphries, The Dame, and a legend in his own lifetime, has made his exit, and we are all deeply saddened.

Visit: http://www.johninman.co.uk

http://www.minki.net/aybs/index.html

Actor - Filmography
 (2000s) (1990s) (1980s) (1970s)
 
 Boom Boom! The Best of the Original Basil Brush Show (2001) (V) (archive footage) .... Himself
 I Love Christmas (2001) (TV) (archive footage)
100 Greatest TV Characters, The (2001) (TV) (archive footage) .... Mr. Humphries
 BBC Hall of Fame: Barbara Windsor (2000) (TV) .... Himself
 Funny Turns: John Inman (1999) (TV) .... Himself
 "Laughter in the House: The Story of British Sitcom" (1999) (mini) TV Series
 .... Himself/Wilberforce Clayborne Humphries
 "Pantoland" (1997) (mini) TV Series .... Himself
 "Grace & Favour" (1992) TV Series .... Mr. Wilberforce Clayborne Humphries
 ... aka "Are You Being Served? Again!" (1992) (USA)
 Best of Are You Being Served?, The (1992) (TV) .... Mrs. Humphries/Mr. Humphries
 Tall Guy, The (1989) .... Cameo appearance
 "Take a Letter Mr Jones" (1981) TV Series .... Mr. Jones
"Are You Being Served?" (1980) TV Series .... Mr. Humphries
 ... aka "Are You Being Served in Australia?" (1980) (USA)
 "Odd Man Out" (1977) TV Series .... Neville Sutcliffe
 Are You Being Served? (1977) .... Mr. Humphries
 ... aka 'Are You Being Served?': The Movie (1977)
 "Are You Being Served?" (1972) TV Series .... Mr. Wilberforce Clayborne Humphries
 ... aka "Grace Brothers" (1972)

 Notable TV guest appearances:

 
"Heroes of Comedy" (1997) playing "Himself" in episode: "Dick Emery" 4/13/2002
"Top Ten" (2000) playing "Himself" in episode: "Camp Icons" 4/13/2002
"French and Saunders" (1987) in episode: "Phantom Millennium, The" (episode # 5.10) 12/28/1999
"It's Only TV... But I Like It" (1999) playing "Himself" (episode # 1.5) 7/1/1999
"Blankety Blank" (1977) playing "Himself" 1979

Are you being served? Staff.
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