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Are You Being Served? star Trevor Bannister dies at 76
Trevor Bannister (r) played ladies' man Mr Lucas in Are You Being Served?
Are You Being Served? star Trevor Bannister has died aged 76, his brother has confirmed.
The actor suffered a heart attack on Thursday at his allotment in Thames Ditton, Surrey, John Bannister said.
The actor was best known for his role as ladies' man Mr Lucas in the 1970s BBC sitcom set in a department store but he also worked in the theatre.
"He was a good lad, we were all very fond of him," Mr Bannister told BBC News.
He added his brother had been doing some repair work on his shed when he became ill.
Frank Thornton, who appeared as Captain Peacock in Are You Being Served?, told the BBC he had "many, many happy memories" of his co-star.
"He was a very good friend over a long time," he said.
"We often met with him and his wife - he was recently at my 90th birthday celebrations in January and that was the last time we saw him. We shall miss him sorely."
Born in Durrington, Wiltshire, and the youngest of three children, Bannister did two years' National Service before going to the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts.
During his career, which spanned five decades, he appeared in TV shows including The Avengers, Dixon of Dock Green, The Saint and Z-Cars.
Most recently Bannister (left) starred in BBC series Last of the Summer Wine
He also made regular appearances in the theatre and in pantomime.
More recently, the actor had a stint in the long-running BBC series Last of the Summer Wine.
In 2009, the actor led the tributes to his Are You Being Served? co-star Wendy Richard and gave a reading at her funeral.
Speaking to the BBC at the time about his experiences of working on the sitcom, he said: "The joy of that particular show was the fact that most of us had known each other before we came to do it.
"We loved working with each other and had a lot of respect for each other. I think that fun and enjoyment conveyed itself through the screen."
He is survived by his second wife Pam and three sons Simon, Timothy and Jeremy.
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Comment number 31.
Frammo15th April 2011 - 20:59
As a trainee reporter in 1974, Trevor Bannister was the first celebrity I interviewed. After an hour, we sat for another two hours just talking over a beer outside the Winter Gardens. A true gentlmen, very funny, and a huge kind heart. He helped and advised me, (19 at the time), through a difficult family problem. I will never forget him. Heaven is richer place and Earth sadder without him.
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Comment number 28.
Tara McKinney15th April 2011 - 19:49
I grew up watching AYBS as a kid on PBS every Saturday night. Now, my 4 year old daughter loving it. Such sad news. You've done very well Mr. Bannister.
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Comment number 23.
ripley197015th April 2011 - 19:09
This is sad news indeed. I always enjoyed AYBS and have great memories of seeing Trevor Bannister in other shows (an episode of Keeping Up Appearances being particularly memorable). I saw him in the theatre a few times. One of those unassuming men whom many only realise was great once they are gone. I count myself lucky to have known the secret for years. RIP Trevor - condolences to your family
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Comment number 21.
geoff15th April 2011 - 18:45
As young Mr Grace would say
"you have all done very well" and you Mr Lucas if you are free R.I.P
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Comment number 18.
Peter Hood15th April 2011 - 18:41
Lately I've seen a lot of the acting greats from my youth pass on, and I will miss him as much as every one of those already dead. People like him are the product of a televisual tradition initially fostered by Billy Cotton. Somehow what we now have seems so ugly, ungainly, graceless and brutal. A remarkable man gone; this is a significant loss, these are not wasted, meaningless words.
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Comments 5 of 12