Portal:Hampshire/Selected biography/16

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Arthur English (May 9, 1919 – April 16, 1995) was an English comedian from the music hall tradition.

English was born in Aldershot, Hampshire. After serving in the army in World War II, reaching the rank of Sergeant. English worked as a painter and decorator in his native town. He polished up his comedy routines at this time and eventually appeared at the Windmill Theatre in London and did much other stage work. His radio work began with the BBC series Variety Bandbox, using as always his own Aldershot accent. His usual persona was a stereotypical wartime "spiv", and he became known as "The Prince of the Wide Boys". For a time he was resident comedian at the notorious Windmill Theatre.

He began to appear on British television in mainly comedy roles in the 1970s, and was noticeable because of his manner and striking appearance. He is best remembered for his character of the obnoxious and 'bolshy' maintenance man, Mr. Harman, in Are You Being Served? which he played from 1976 to 1985, including the film version. He played an even more unsympathetic character in In Sickness and in Health, a follow-up series to Till Death Us Do Part from 1985 to 1990.