ARTHUR English's stage career got off the ground when he was still very young, with him appearing in amateur shows, but it was not until he had turned 30 that he began working as a professional entertainer.

During the Second World War he served in the Army and after he was demobbed he worked as a painter and decorator in Aldershot.

In 1949 he attended an audition at the well-known Windmill Theatre in London and was given a contract for several seasons as principal comic.

He became known as the prince of the wide boys' due to a character he played who dressed outrageously and wore huge kipper ties.

Among his well-known catchphrases were they're laughing at me mum' and his exit line play the music - open the cage'.

He became a radio star, appearing on the BBC show Variety Bandbox before turning to straight acting in the 70s.

His acting career included roles on stage, television and the silver screen.

One of his early cinematic roles was as Arthur in For the Love of Ada. Further film roles followed as Carter in Love Thy Neighbour and Jack in Malachi's Cove.

But it was his role as the obnoxious caretaker Mr Beverley Harman in long-running TV sitcom Are You Being Served? for which he will always be remembered.

He followed up his role in this show, which ran from 1976 to 1985 and included a film, with another unsympathetic role - Arthur in In Sickness and in Health.

His television career continued until 1987 when he played Sid in Never Say Die.

Following the death of his wife Anne, late in life he married a young dancer he met while working together on a show and had a child with her.

He died in 1995 due to complications related to emphysema.

Name: Arthur English OCCUPATION: Variety performer DATE OF BIRTH: May 9, 1919 DIED: April 16, 1995

Local link: Was born in Aldershot