John Inman, the British actor who charmed television audiences globally as the outrageously camp Mr. Humphries in the beloved BBC sitcom Are You Being Served?, passed away at the age of 71 after a prolonged illness. While his portrayal of the menswear assistant cemented his place in comedy history, it also ignited debates and protests, highlighting the complex relationship between comedy, representation, and societal perceptions of homosexuality.
From Blackpool Boards to Grace Brothers’ Floors
Born in Preston, Lancashire, to hairdresser parents who later ran a Blackpool boarding house, John Inman’s journey to stardom began early. Encouraged by his parents, he took elocution lessons and made his stage debut at just 11 years old on Blackpool’s South Pier. This early experience with the Jack Rose Repertory Company, earning him £5 a week, ignited his passion for performance.
However, Inman’s ambitions initially leaned towards the visual spectacle of show business. He confessed to being a “tits-and-feathers man,” lamenting the perceived decline of glamour in entertainment, which he jokingly blamed on The Beatles. At 17, he moved to London to pursue a career as a window dresser, a profession he occasionally returned to throughout his acting career. To supplement his income in the capital, he also sewed costumes for theatres, living a modest life in a £3-a-week bedsit.
At 21, John Inman returned to his acting aspirations, joining a repertory company in Crewe. This marked his transition into professional acting, leading to appearances in London’s West End productions like Anne Veronica, Salad Days, and the humorously titled Let’s Get Laid. Summer seasons and over 40 pantomime Dame roles became staples of his career, showcasing his versatility and comedic timing.
The Phenomenon of Mr. Humphries in “Are You Being Served?”
The turning point in John Inman’s career arrived with Are You Being Served?. Initially a pilot for the BBC’s Comedy Playhouse in 1972, the sitcom became a primetime hit, running for an impressive 12 years from 1973 to 1985, totaling 69 episodes. Created by comedy legends Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft, the show depicted the eccentric staff of Grace Brothers, a traditional department store.
Amidst a cast of memorable characters like Mrs. Slocombe and Captain Peacock, John Inman’s Mr. Humphries stood out. His flamboyant mannerisms, suggestive catchphrases like “I’m free?”, and enthusiastic approach to measuring “inside legs” made him instantly recognizable and incredibly popular. Inman’s portrayal captured the public imagination, and he became synonymous with the role, constantly greeted with “Are you free?” in public, to which he often quipped, “No, but I’m reasonable.”
Controversy and Conflicting Perceptions
John Inman maintained that his character was “cheeky but not dirty” and found Mr. Humphries a “joy to play.” He believed the humor lay in the audience’s ambiguity about the character’s sexuality, famously stating, “when it comes to sex, Mr Humphries is nothing really. He’s neither one way or the other.”
While some critics lauded Inman and Mr. Humphries as unexpected allies of gay liberation, this view was not universally shared. In 1977, the Campaign for Homosexual Equality publicly protested against Inman during a performance in Brighton. They distributed leaflets criticizing his portrayal for perpetuating stereotypes of homosexuals as sexually fixated, overly effeminate, and prone to drag. They argued that Mr. Humphries did not reflect the reality of most gay men and contributed to a distorted media image. Inman, caught in the crossfire, defended himself by stating he was simply trying to make people laugh and not making any political statement.
International Recognition and Enduring Legacy
Are You Being Served?’s success extended beyond Britain, reaching audiences in the United States and globally. John Inman’s fame became international. He recounted an anecdote from San Francisco where a young man was so astonished to see him that he fell off his bicycle, exclaiming, “I love you, Mr Humphries.” This illustrated the global impact of his performance and the affection audiences held for his character.
Despite a less successful attempt at a solo ITV show, Odd Man Out, in 1977, John Inman remained a beloved figure. He returned to the BBC and Are You Being Served?, and later reprised his role in the sequel series Grace And Favour. Even a 2005 poll that declared the Are You Being Served? film remake as the worst ever couldn’t diminish his television legacy.
In his later years, John Inman faced health challenges, including hospitalizations for bronchitis and hepatitis A. In December 2005, he entered into a civil partnership with Ron Lynch, his partner of over three decades, marking a personal milestone in his life.
John Inman’s contribution to British comedy is undeniable. His portrayal of Mr. Humphries remains iconic, a testament to his comedic talent and the enduring popularity of Are You Being Served?. Even critic Nancy Banks-Smith, who initially dismissed the show, later publicly apologized for her misjudgment, acknowledging the show’s lasting appeal and Inman’s comedic brilliance. John Inman’s legacy is secure as a national comic treasure, forever remembered for bringing laughter to millions through his unforgettable character, Mr. Humphries.
