John Inman, an actor beloved by millions for his role as the outrageously camp Mr. Humphries in the BBC sitcom Are You Being Served?, passed away at the age of 71 after a prolonged illness. While the role catapulted him to fame, it also brought unexpected controversy, particularly from some in the gay community who felt his character perpetuated harmful stereotypes. Despite this, Inman’s portrayal of Mr. Humphries remains a significant and memorable contribution to British comedy.
Created by the celebrated comedy writing duo Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft, Are You Being Served? debuted as a pilot in 1972 before becoming a full series in 1973. Running for an impressive 12 years until 1985, the show, set in the antiquated Grace Brothers department store, became a staple of British television. Croft, drawing from his own experiences in a department store, populated Grace Brothers with a cast of eccentric and unforgettable characters. Among them was Mr. Humphries, who quickly became a standout, even within the show’s ensemble of comedic personalities.
The Grace Brothers staff was a collection of unique individuals. Molly Sugden as Mrs. Slocombe, with her constant innuendos about her “pussy,” and Frank Thornton’s Captain Peacock, the pompous floor manager always addressed by his rank, were integral to the show’s humor. But it was Actor John Inman’s Mr. Humphries, with his suggestive catchphrase “I’m free?” delivered with a flourish before enthusiastically offering to measure a customer’s inside leg, that truly captured the audience’s imagination. The line became synonymous with Inman, and he was frequently greeted with “Are you free?” in public. His quick-witted response, “No, but I’m reasonable,” became another signature phrase, demonstrating his ability to embrace and play with his iconic character.
Inman himself maintained that Mr. Humphries was cheeky but never vulgar, a character he genuinely enjoyed playing. He described Mr. Humphries as a figure of fun, intentionally ambiguous about 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 carefully constructed persona.
Interestingly, some critics viewed John Inman and Mr. Humphries as unlikely allies of the gay liberation movement, arguing that the character, despite potential stereotypes, brought visibility to homosexual themes on mainstream television. However, this view was not universally shared. In 1977, during Inman’s appearance in a show in Brighton, the Campaign for Homosexual Equality distributed leaflets criticizing his portrayal. They argued that Mr. Humphries reinforced negative stereotypes, depicting gay men as obsessed with sex, flamboyant, and prone to drag. The group contended that the character was a misrepresentation of most homosexual men and contributed to a distorted image on television. Inman, caught in the crossfire, defended himself by stating he was simply trying to entertain and was not making any political statement.
Despite the controversy, the success of Are You Being Served? brought John Inman international fame. The series was sold to the United States, where it also gained a significant following. Inman found himself recognized in Los Angeles and San Francisco just as readily as in London. One anecdote recounts a young man in San Francisco who was so astonished to see Inman that he fell off his bicycle, exclaiming “I love you, Mr Humphries!” while lying in the street, illustrating the character’s profound impact on audiences worldwide.
Before landing his breakthrough role, John Inman’s career had been developing steadily but without major fanfare. Born in Preston, Lancashire, to hairdresser parents who later ran a boarding house in Blackpool, Inman’s path to performing began early. His parents encouraged his interest, financing elocution lessons at the local church hall. He made his professional debut at just 11 years old on Blackpool’s South Pier, earning £5 a week with the Jack Rose Repertory Company for his role as a boy in the play 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 saw as the Beatles’ impact on diminishing show business glamour. At 17, he moved to London to pursue a career as a window dresser. To supplement his income, he also sewed costumes for theaters, living frugally in a small bedsit. At 21, he returned to acting, joining a repertory company in Crewe and subsequently making his West End debut in productions like Anne Veronica, Salad Days, and Let’s Get Laid – the latter, he humorously had to explain to his mother, was actually about a poultry farm.
Summer shows and pantomime became staples of his career. He became known for his performances as the pantomime Dame, taking on the role more than 40 times. During periods between acting jobs, he would sometimes return to window dressing. In 1977, ITV offered him an exclusive contract and his own show, Odd Man Out. However, this venture away from the BBC proved unsuccessful, lasting only seven episodes. Inman subsequently returned to the BBC and Are You Being Served? Years after the original series concluded, five of the original cast members reunited for a sequel, Grace And Favour, but it only ran for two series.
By this stage in his career, John Inman was firmly established as a beloved figure in British comedy. Despite a 2005 poll deeming the 1977 Are You Being Served? film as the worst movie remake of a television series, his television work continued to be popular globally.
Inman faced health challenges in later years. He was hospitalized with bronchitis in 1993, collapsed during a Mother Goose performance in 1995, and had to withdraw from a production of Dick Whittington in 2004 after contracting hepatitis A.
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, the actor who brought Mr. Humphries to life and entertained generations, was born on June 28, 1935, and passed away on March 8, 2007.
Nancy Banks-Smith, reflecting on the enduring appeal of Are You Being Served?, offered a belated apology to John Inman. Recounting her experience as a TV jury member who initially dismissed the show, she acknowledged its long-lasting success and her misjudgment. The enduring popularity of Are You Being Served? and the indelible mark left by actor John Inman as Mr. Humphries stand as a testament to his comedic talent and lasting impact on television history.
