Frank Thornton

It is so sad to hear that Frank Thornton has passed away. To anyone my son's age, his name will mean nothing though I suspect it's only a matter of time before he discovers my collection of 'Are You Being Served' recordings. Of course, he will be remembered by many for his role as Captain Peacock in the long running BBC comedy of the 70's and early 80's.

He was of course like many of his ilk, a highly accomplished actor who starred in many films including The Early Bird, Carry On Screaming, The Bed-Sitting Room and Gosford Park, to name just a few.
In 1997 he took the role of Herbert 'Truly' Truelove in Last of the Summer Wine, replacing Brian Wilde who had suggested him for the role.
He twice appeared as the character of Bert Dingle in the British soap opera Emmerdale, once in March 2000 and again in October 2002.
Following the death of Trevor Bannister on 14 April 2011, Thornton was one of the two last surviving members (the other being Nicholas Smith) of the original cast of Are You Being Served?.