To The Manor Born star Peter Bowles has died at the age of 85 from cancer.
Bowles was best known for his role as Richard DeVere in the BBC sitcom which aired from 1979 to 1981, as a self-employed businessman alongside Dame Penelope Keith, with the pair rehearsing their roles in a 2007 special.
A statement from the PA news agency said: ‘The actor Peter Bowles has unfortunately died at the age of 85 from cancer.
Starting his career at the Old Vic Theater in 1956, he participated in 45 theatrical productions that ended at the age of 81 in The Exorcist at the Phoenix Theater.
“He has consistently worked on stage and on screen, and has become a household name on television as the archetypal English gent in To The Manor Born, Only When I Laugh, The Bounder and Lytton’s Diary, which he developed himself.
“He leaves his wife of over 60 years, Sue, and their three children Guy, Adam and Sasha.”
Born in London in 1936, he grew up in Nottingham and won a scholarship to the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) before cutting his teeth on stage with the Old Vic Company.
He has played Evil in several TV series, including The Avengers and The Saint, but it was with a mustache to To The Manor Born, co-launch of Dame Penelope and dominated viewers of 20 million, that he became most famous.
His role as DeVere came in his 40s but his other television credits include shows such as Only When I Laugh, Lytton’s Diary, The Bounder and Perfect Scoundrels, with reports also saying that he previously refused a role in The Good Life.
Speaking of his success in sitcoms, he told the PA news agency in 2010, “When you have a huge popular television success, especially in comedy, people do not think you can act on stage.
“People thought I was just a sitcom actor and the BBC told me I would never work in drama again. I did not realize it was two worlds. It was new to me. I found it very strange. and found frustrating. ‘
The renowned actor will be paid tribute on Thursday following the news of his death, with presenter Piers Morgan offering his condolences on Twitter.
He wrote: ‘RIP Peter Bowles, 85.
Wonderful actor who radiated an awful British charm. Like him in To The Manor Born, Lytton’s Diary & The Bounder. ‘
He added that it was ‘sad news’.
Growing up, Bowles’ parents were servants of the nobility – his father was a valet and driver for one of the sons of Earl of Sandwich, his mother a nanny who was employed by the heirs of the Duke of Argyll in Scotland.
During World War II, his father worked as an engineer at Rolls-Royce and when the Bowles were six, the family moved to one of the poorest working class neighborhoods of Nottingham. Her house had an outside toilet and no bathroom.
“We were in a Coronation Street environment but everyone was extremely friendly and there were a lot of kids. It was awesome,” he said earlier.
After appearing in amateur games in Nottingham when he won his Rada scholarship, he lost his northern accent and was thrown into a melting pot of talent with his colleagues, including names like Alan Bates, Peter O’Toole and Sian Phillips, and he has an apartment with colleagues Albert Finney.
He was reunited with Lady Penelope in a 2010 regional tour of Sheridan’s The Rivals, directed by Sir Peter Hall.
During his career he has appeared in many films, including 1970s Eyewitness, 1995’s The Steal, 2005’s Color Me Kubrick, and 2008’s The Bank Job.
He also starred in the 2016 BBC Two Series Murder, which involved the psyche of everyone involved in a murder case by giving evidence directly to the camera of each character.
Bowles recently starred alongside Jenna Coleman in the popular ITV series Victoria, playing the role of the Duke of Wellington.
He was married to actress Susan Bennett and the couple had three children.
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