Dad’s Army star Bill Pertwee dies aged 86

Actor best known for his role as air raid warden Hodges

Members of the  cast of the TV series Dad’s Army   visit the Imperial War Museum in Southwark in 1974. Bill Pertwee (third from left) died today aged 86. Photograph:  Chris Ware/Keystone/Getty Images
Members of the cast of the TV series Dad’s Army visit the Imperial War Museum in Southwark in 1974. Bill Pertwee (third from left) died today aged 86. Photograph: Chris Ware/Keystone/Getty Images

Dad's Army star Bill Pertwee died peacefully today with his family around him, his agent said.

The actor, who was 86, was known for his role as the air raid warden Hodges in the classic 1970s’ comedy.

Agent Meg Poole, of Richard Stone Partnership, said: "He was a really, really nice man. Very bright, very intelligent.

“He came from a big theatrical family, a big show business family, and like all of them it was his life and it was very important to him and he was a hugely professional, very clever man.”

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Pertwee’s wife died several years ago and he is survived by his son, Jonathan, she said.

The actor had been ill over Christmas and was living at a home in Cornwall at the time of his death.

Pertwee’s argumentative character on Dad’s Army was well known for his frequent wartime cry of “Put that light out!”

The show won a Bafta for best comedy in 1971 and led to a film, which also starred Pertwee, in the same year.

In 1989 Pertwee also wrote a book book about the making of the series called Dad’s Army: The Making of a Television Legend, which was republished in 2009 for the show’s 40th anniversary celebrations.

He also wrote an autobiography, A Funny Way to Make a Living, and Promenades and Pierrots: One Hundred Years of Seaside Entertainment.

Several other Dad’s Army stars have also died recently.

Pertwee's co-star, actor Clive Dunn - who was known for his role as Lance Corporal "Jonesy" Jones, died in November last year aged 92. Philip Madoc, who was known for his role as a German U-Boat commander in the classic Dad's Army "Don't tell him, Pike" also died aged 77 in March last year.

Pertwee received an MBE for his charitable services in June 2007 and said at the time it was a surprise and “a great honour”.

As well as starring in Dad’s Army, Pertwee appeared in three Carry On films, Carry on Loving (1970), Carry on at Your Convenience (1971) and Carry On Girls (1973).

PA