Died yesterday in UK, aged 93. Many of us probably remember him as the alternately curmudgeonly, sensible, and sentimental Lionel Hardcastle in the Britcom “As Time Goes By.” I also remember him fondly for an earlier program, “Butterfly,” and for numerous appearances in his later years in a variety of guest roles on some of the best shows on British TV.
Crap. I loved Lionel.
As a kiwi who was a Brit-sitcom watcher from way back, I know him from The Fall And Rise Of Reginald Perrin, its spiritual-spin-off Fairly Secret Army, and Butterflies.
Bit of a cock-up on the living front.
What first comes to mind for me is how perfect he was in my all-time favorite DOCTOR WHO serial: it ain’t the flashiest role, but we need someone to show up and immediately get taken seriously as the government official everyone suddenly has to spend plenty of time explaining themselves to — you know, the sci-fI equivalent of the straight man in a comedy bit — and he of course completely sells it.
The one time I played the Celebrity Death Pool – several years ago now – I had him on my list.
I absolutely adored As Time Goes By and I have the entire series on DVD. RIP Lionel.
Another famous actor I never would have guessed was still alive. I too have fond memories of him playing different roles (usually curmudgeons).
RIP 
One of my favourite TV scenes ever, (top 5 for sure)
Oh, goodness, yes. He was wonderful in Fall and Rise; that was the first thing I ever saw him in. He was great in Butterflies and As Time Goes By, too, of course. And another often shown by American public television stations, Executive Stress (first season only–he was replaced by Peter Bowles for subsequent seasons).
I wasn’t aware of Fairly Secret Army and now look forward to finding it.
Condolences to his family and friends; he gave a lot of people pleasure with all those great performances.
“I’m a doctor, and I want my sausages!”
I remember laughing so hard at Fairly Secret Army when I watched it on PBS years ago. Now I’m kind of afraid to watch it again, in case my tastes have changed and I don’t find it funny anymore.