Actor and comedian Brian Murphy, best known for his role in 1970s British sitcoms Man About The House and George and Mildred, has died aged 92.
Murphy passed away at his home in Kent on Sunday morning. He leaves behind his wife, Hi-de-Hi! actress Linda Regan and his two sons, Trevor and Kevin, from his first marriage.
Throughout his early career, he worked closely with theatre director Joan Littlewood.
In Man About The House and George and Mildred he played George Roper.
More recently he featured in episodes of the BBC’s Holby City, The Catherine Tate Show, ITV’s Benidorm.
Ms Regan said: ‘I was lucky to have in my lifetime found my soulmate. Brian who I will love forever.’
Murphy’s friend and agent, Thomas Bowington, described the star as a ‘joyful and profoundly good-hearted man’ and paid tribute to his ‘talent and humanity’.
The actor was born on the Isle of Wight in 1932 and his career began in the 1950s when he joined the Theatre Workshop.
The pioneering group was founded by Joan Littlewood and her partner Gerry Raffles and was dedicated to modernising theatre and opening the industry up to working-class audiences.
Murphy performed in Shakespeare productions directed by Littlewood and even appeared in her only feature-length film Sparrows Can’t Sing.
But he was famous for his role as George Roper in ITV sitcom Man About the House, which was considered daring in the 1970s as it explored the dynamics between a man sharing a flat with two women.
His co-stars were Chrissy and Jo, played by Paula Wilcox and Sally Thomsett, whilst Yootha Joyce played his domineering wife Mildred.
Joyce and Murphy later starred in their own spin-off George and Mildred which was equally successful.
In 2023, Murphy and his wife joined the cast of award-nominated podcast sitcom Barmy Dale.
The husband and wife duo starred as Felicity Palmer, Mayoress of Barmy Dale and Lord Palmer, husband of Felicity.