Harry Grout

Harry Grout as portrayed by Peter Vaughan in Porridge

'Genial' Harry Grout, or 'Grouty', as he is often referred to, is a character in the popular BBC sitcom Porridge.

Storylines

Grouty is feared by all the prisoners, even Fletcher winces in terror whenever he is summoned to Grouty's cell. His schemes include running a drugs ring, funded by the doctor's office and rigging boxing matches. If crossed, Grouty has little hesitation in setting one of his various heavies on those who displease him.

Grouty also arranges things such as prison breaks, as seen in the Christmas special "No Way Out," in which the major plot involves his trying to arrange a breakout plan, with much help from an unwilling Fletcher. Eventually, Fletcher reveals the tunnel that was dug to Mr. Mackay but ends up landing himself in the prison infirmary. After Mackay offers him a bottle of whisky (possibly Laphroaig, but the label was unseen in accordance with BBC regulations) in exchange for information, Fletcher tells him that they disposed of the soil from the tunnel by burying it in a second one.

Life after Slade Prison

In the 2003 mockumentary Life Beyond The Box: Norman Stanley Fletcher, it is revealed that after being released from prison Grouty continued running his "business empire" (although he insisted it was now straight, and no-one could prove otherwise), and also became a "celebrity criminal", in a similar manner to Frankie Fraser and The Krays. He died of a heart attack, but just before he died, he told Fletcher where his stash was hidden. Fletcher is seen laying a memorial wreath at his funeral which simply says "Nerk".

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