The Dad’s Army actor Ian Lavender, who played Private Pike in the hit TV series, has died at the age of 77.
Birmingham-born Lavender was just 22 when he was cast as the guileless platoon member, in what was then a new BBC sitcom.
But it made him a household name, and he ended up spending 10 years as part of the comedy classic.
Lavender, who died on Friday, was the last surviving main cast member of the series.
Away from Dad’s Army, he also acted in other TV comedies such as Yes Minister, and appeared on stage, including in The Merchant of Venice.
He also had a stint on EastEnders as Derek Harkinson, a role he reprised in 2016 for a festive storyline.
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This is the best summary I could come up with:
The Dad’s Army actor Ian Lavender, who played Private Pike in the hit TV series, has died at the age of 77.
Away from Dad’s Army, he also acted in other TV comedies such as Yes Minister, and appeared on stage, including in The Merchant of Venice.
Lavender grew up in the Midlands but studied acting at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
Dad’s Army, a much loved series about a Home Guard platoon during the Second World War, ran on BBC One from 1968 to 1977.
It also starred Arthur Lowe as Captain Mainwaring, Arnold Ridley as Private Godfrey and John Le Mesurier as Sergeant Wilson, among others.
The series has had a long-lasting impact on British popular culture, and some of its catchphrases are still used, such as “you stupid boy,” “don’t panic!”
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