Sitcom legend Jeremy Lloyd dies aged 84
Jeremy Lloyd OBE, the sitcom writer who created smash-hits Are You Being Served? and 'Allo 'Allo! alongside producer David Croft, has died at the age of 84.
Lloyd's agent, Alexandra Cann, said today that he died in a London hospital on Monday evening, after being admitted with pneumonia.
She told the BBC: "Jeremy was a great wit and always a mass of original ideas.
"He had a wonderfully original mind and will be greatly missed."
Actress Vicki Michelle, who found fame as 'Allo 'Allo!'s saucy waitress Yvette, posted on Twitter: "So sad to hear of Jeremy Lloyd's passing. Such a wonderful talent, mentor & friend. A complete joy to work with. RIP Jeremy I'll miss you xx"
A writer and actor who was also at married to Joanna Lumley for a brief time during 1970, Lloyd created Are You Being Served? based on his own experience working at the central London department store Simpsons of Piccadilly during the 1950s.
The hit sitcom ran for 69 episodes over 10 series from 1972 to 1985, and spawned both an early-1990s sequel - Grace And Favour - and a movie adaptation, as well as an Australian remake.
Together with producer-director David Croft, Lloyd also created and co-wrote perhaps the most successful sitcom of the 1980s, the wartime-set 'Allo 'Allo!. The series clocked up 85 episodes over 9 series, running between 1982 and 1992.
Lloyd was appointed an OBE in 2012 for Services to Comedy, and said he was "astounded" to have been recognised for simply doing what he loved.
Lloyd's other credits include Come Back Mrs. Noah, The Dickie Henderson Show, Games That Lovers Play, Three Hats For Lisa and Very Important Person.
He also enjoyed popularity and success in the USA, where he appeared in and wrote for the hugely influential late 1960s/early 1970s sketch show Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In.
Jeremy Lloyd married his third wife, Lizzy Moberly, just six months ago. He described her as "beautiful, clever and sent from heaven on a mission impossible".