Charles Hawtrey

His name had, in fact been borrowed from the celebrated Edwardian actor-manager Sir Charles Hawtrey, who died in 1923, a couple of years before the young Hawtrey (nee Hartree) began his career as a boy soprano.

Made his stage debut in 1925 as a street urchin in 'The Windmill Man' at Boscombe. Theatre in Bournemouth.

Coming from a theatrical family (although not related to the famous Edwardian actor Sir Charles Hawtrey, he did "borrow" his last name), Charles Hawtrey made his stage debut at age 11 after having spent several years in a prestigious acting school. A string of stage roles followed, and by 1929 his success led him to move into radio. His success in that medium led to his entry into films, often working alongside noted comedian Will Hay. He continued his stage, radio and film work, although he scored more success on stage.

He made his film debut in the 1930 silent film 'Marry Me'.

Prior to the Carry on's he was best remembered as the elderly schoolboy in the Will Hay comedies 'Good Morning Boys (19370 and 'The Goose Steps Out' (1942).

He appeared with Bill Shine in the short film 'How to Fuel Your 2 Stroke Motorcycle Engine' (1940).

In 1957 he appeared in the popular TV comedy series The Army Game (1957) as one of the scruffy lead-swinging squaddies stationed at the forgotten transit camp of Nether Hopping.

In 1958 he began work in the series for which he would achieve his greatest fame, the "Carry On" comedies. His stringy build, birdlike features, what has been described as his "outrageously posh" voice and his somewhat fey character's eccentricities made him one of the most popular of the "Carry On" gang. However, that very popularity indirectly led to his exit from the series. He believed that his character's prominence, and the fact that he had more experience in the business than most of his co-stars, entitled him to receive a higher billing in the series than he was getting.

On Carry on Regardless (1961) he allegedly demanded a pay raise and better promotion of his character because he was a "popular comedian" who deserved it. He was ignored by director Gerald Thomas, who pointed out that his character was no different than any of the other characters that were part of the six unemployed characters.

He was supposed to play Wilfred Haines in Carry on Cruising (1962), but demanded more money, higher billing and a star on his dressing room door before he would agree to do so. Producer Peter Rogers called his bluff and replaced him with Lance Percival.

The producers didn't see it that way, and after Carry on Abroad (1972), he departed the series. Hawtrey was, by most accounts, almost as eccentric in real life as his character in the "Carry On" series was; one of his characteristics was to speak in an unintelligible language of his own making, which was only understood by a few of his closest friends. After he left the series he semi-retired from the business, making an occasional appearance in a movie or TV show.

Was supposed to play Cecil Gaybody in Carry on Girls (1973), but he had already been fired from the series.

He lived in an old smuggler's cottage near the seafront at Deal, from which he was rescued during a fire in 1984.

His face is the cover of "The Very Best of The Smiths" compilation album (released 2001). Lead singer Morrissey was a big fan and wrote an obituary for him in NME.