John Inman, an actor forever etched in the annals of British comedy for his unforgettable portrayal of Mr. Wilberforce Humphries in the BBC sitcom Are You Being Served?, passed away at the age of 71 after a prolonged illness. His passing marked the end of an era for many who grew up laughing at the antics within Grace Brothers department store. While the role catapulted him to fame and adoration, it also brought forth unexpected controversy, particularly from factions within the gay community who viewed his character as a stereotypical and derisive representation of homosexual men.
Created by the celebrated comedy writing duo Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft, Are You Being Served? first graced television screens as a pilot in 1972 before becoming a primetime staple from 1973 to 1985. Running for an impressive 12 years and 69 episodes, the show became a cultural phenomenon, largely due to its eccentric characters and witty writing. Croft’s own experiences working in a department store provided a rich vein of inspiration for the show’s setting and comedic scenarios.
The show revolved around the antiquated and comically dysfunctional Grace Brothers department store, presided over by the elderly and out-of-touch “Young Mr. Grace.” The staff was a collection of memorable personalities, including Mrs. Slocombe, the ladies’ wear department head played by Molly Sugden, famous for her constant, euphemistic references to her “pussy,” and Captain Peacock, the pompous floor manager portrayed by Frank Thornton, always addressed by his military title. Inman’s Mr. Humphries, with his suggestive catchphrase “I’m free?”, delivered with a knowing wink and followed by his meticulous, over-the-top measuring of customers’ inside legs, quickly became a fan favorite. The line became so iconic that Inman was constantly greeted with “Are you free?” in public, to which he often quipped, “No, but I’m reasonable.”
Despite the flamboyant nature of Mr. Humphries, Inman insisted the character was more cheeky than overtly sexual, emphasizing the comedic ambiguity surrounding his sexuality. “I always say that when it comes to sex, Mr Humphries is nothing really. He’s neither one way or the other,” Inman stated, highlighting the character’s playful and ultimately innocent nature in his eyes.
Interestingly, some critics lauded Inman and Mr. Humphries as unlikely allies of the gay liberation movement, recognizing the character’s visibility, albeit controversial, as a step forward. However, this view was not universally shared. In 1977, the Campaign for Homosexual Equality staged protests during Inman’s performance in Brighton, distributing leaflets that criticized him for perpetuating stereotypes of homosexuals as overly concerned with sex, excessively mannered, and prone to drag. They argued that Mr. Humphries did not reflect the reality of most gay men and that Inman’s portrayal contributed to a distorted and negative image on television. Inman, caught in the crossfire, maintained that his intention was purely comedic, aiming only to bring laughter and not to make any political statements.
John Inman as Mr. Humphries in “Are You Being Served?”.
The immense popularity of Are You Being Served? extended beyond British shores, reaching audiences in the United States and making Inman a recognizable face internationally. He recounted an anecdote from San Francisco where a young man, overwhelmed by spotting him, fell off his bicycle and exclaimed, “I love you, Mr Humphries,” illustrating the character’s global appeal.
Prior to his breakout role, Inman’s career had been more understated. Born in Preston, Lancashire, to hairdresser parents who later ran a boarding house in Blackpool, his path to show business began with elocution lessons financed by his parents at the local church hall. He made his professional debut at the age of 11 on Blackpool’s South Pier, earning £5 a week with the Jack Rose Repertory Company for his role in Frieda.
However, Inman’s passion leaned more towards the spectacle of show business than purely dramatic acting. “I’m a tits-and-feathers man really,” he confessed, expressing his admiration for the glamorous Tiller Girls and lamenting what he perceived as the Beatles’ impact on diminishing show business glamour. At 17, he moved to London to pursue window dressing, supplementing his income by sewing costumes for theaters and living in modest accommodations. At 21, he returned to acting, joining a repertory company in Crewe and later making his West End debut in productions like Anne Veronica, Salad Days, and Let’s Get Laid, the latter of which he comically had to explain to his mother was about a poultry farm.
Summer shows and pantomime became staples of his career, with over 40 appearances as pantomime dames. Between acting engagements, he would often return to window dressing. In 1977, he briefly departed from the BBC for an exclusive contract with ITV for his own show, Odd Man Out. However, the venture was short-lived, lasting only seven episodes, and Inman subsequently returned to the BBC and Are You Being Served?. Years after the original series concluded, he and several original cast members reprised their roles in a sequel series, Grace And Favour, which ran for two series.
By this stage in his career, John Inman had solidified his status as a national comedic treasure. Despite a 2005 poll dubbing the 1977 Are You Being Served? film as the worst television series remake, his television work continued to resonate globally.
Inman faced health challenges throughout his later life. He was hospitalized with bronchitis in 1993, collapsed during a Mother Goose performance in 1995, and had to withdraw from a pantomime in 2004 due to hepatitis A contracted from contaminated food.
In December 2005, John Inman entered into a civil partnership with Ron Lynch, his partner of over three decades, marking a personal milestone in his life.
· John Inman, actor, born June 28, 1935; died March 8, 2007.
Nancy Banks-Smith reflected: “I would like to apologise to John Inman. It is long overdue. Decades ago, as part of a TV jury judging new comedies, we dismissed Are You Being Served? I vividly recall a scene involving Mrs. Slocombe’s stocking promotion escalating into a wild can-can of legs. We, along with Germaine Greer, remained unimpressed and chose a different winner, whose name I cannot even recall. Are You Being Served?, however, went on to run for 12 years. The lesson is clear: proximity can blind you to true comedic brilliance. I am truly sorry, Mr. Humphries.”
John Inman’s legacy extends beyond the laughs he generated. He navigated the complexities of portraying a character who, while beloved by millions, also sparked debate about representation and stereotypes. Ultimately, John Inman, the actor, should be remembered for his dedication to his craft, his ability to connect with audiences worldwide, and for giving life to one of British comedy’s most enduring and endearing characters, Mr. Humphries.
