Trivia

He left Are You Being Served? (1972) in 1979 because he had been offered a long-running part in a stage play, Middle Age Spread. He asked the BBC whether they would change the recording date for Are You Being Served so he could appear in both, but they refused.

Died of a heart attack whilst tending his allotment in Surrey, having fallen ill as he performed repair work on his shed.

Had an early taste of the theatre at 15 when future Are You Being Served? (1972) co-star Arthur Brough took him on at his Folkestone repertory company.

Gave a reading at the funeral of Wendy Richard (March 9, 2009).

He has three sons, Simon, Timothy and Jeremy, with his first wife Kathleen Cravos.

Trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

Spent two years national service in the British Army.

Made his West End stage debut as Arthur Crabtree in "Billy Liar" in 1960.

Has a brother, John Bannister.

His father was a tobacconist and newsagent.