The Man who was Captain Mainwaring

This piece of mine, on the great comic actor Arthur Lowe, appears in the Daily Express.

Neil Clark: THIRTY years ago, the actor Arthur Lowe died suddenly and alone aged 66. The sad irony is that today Dad’s Army, the TV comedy which made him famous as the self- important Captain Mainwaring, is more popular than ever.

Don't tell him Pike! That classic line which comes as part of a hilarious encounter between Captain Mainwaring and a captured German U-boat commander in an episode of the ever- green comedy series Dad’s Army is regarded by many as the funniest line in British television history.



The actor who delivered it, Arthur Lowe, made – and continues to make – millions laugh with his wonderful portrayal of the self-important and accident-prone bank manager turned Home Guard captain, helping to turn his character into one of the best-loved comedy creations of all time.


Yet for all the pleasure he gave Arthur Lowe had a sad demise. Thirty years ago this week the man who was Captain Mainwaring died alone in hospital following a stroke suffered in the dressing room of a Birmingham theatre.


You can read the whole piece here.