Nicholas Smith: Are You Being Served? actor dies, aged 81
Actor Nicholas Smith – who was best known for his role as Mr Rumbold in Are You Being Served? - has died, aged 81.
Smith’s agents at Michelle Braidman Associates confirmed the news in a statement.
“It is with great sadness we can confirm that our client, the actor Nicholas Smith, passed away yesterday," they wrote.
“He was a lovely man and a terrific actor. He will be much missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts are with his family.”
The actor died in hospital on Sunday, where he had stayed for the last seven weeks following a fall at his home.
Smith was the last surviving member of the original cast of BBC sitcom Are You Being Served?, which was set in the fictional London department store, Grace Brothers, and starred Molly Sugden, Frank Thornton and Wendy Richard.
Born in Barnstead, Surrey in 1934, the actor enjoyed roles in Doctor Who, Z Cars, The Frost Report, Worzel Gummidge and The Avengers.
He also lent his voice to Reverend Clement Hedges in the 2005 Wallace & Gromit film, The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.
Smith is survived by his daughter and Holby City actress Catherine Russell, and grandchildren Sam and Poppy.