'Allo 'Allo! star Gorden Kaye dies aged 75
- Gorden Kaye, best known for playing René in classic sitcom 'Allo 'Allo!, has died
- The actor died at a care home on Monday morning, aged 75
- He had been suffering from dementia
Comedy actor Gorden Kaye, best known for playing René in classic sitcom 'Allo 'Allo!, has died aged 75.
The actor's agent confirmed to BBC News that he died this morning, Monday 23rd January 2017, at the North Yorkshire care home he was a resident of. He had faced a two-year decline after developing dementia.
Kaye starred as French café owner René Artois in the wartime-set BBC sitcom from 1982 to 1992, appearing in every episode of the show across the nine series, and in more than 1,000 performances of a stage version of the comedy.
At the height of the sitcom's popularity in 1990, Kaye was the centre of national concern when hospitalised with a serious brain injury. Driving during stormy conditions on 25th January, an advertising hoarding smashed through his car windscreen with a piece of wood impaling his forehead. He stunned doctors and the nation by recovering and returning to work within six months, but was left with a permanent and prominent scar.
Born in Huddersfield on 7th April 1941, Kaye worked in factories in West Yorkshire before getting his showbusiness break playing Bernard Butler in the soap Coronation Street.
He caught the attention of prolific BBC comedy producer and director David Croft, appearing in a number of memorable guest roles in Are You Being Served? and It Ain't Half Hot Mum during the 1970s. Croft later cast him as a regular supporting star in notorious sci-fi comedy Come Back Mrs. Noah, alongside Mollie Sugden, before the debut of 'Allo 'Allo! as a pilot at Christmas 1982.
He was also offered the lead role in another Croft sitcom, Oh Happy Band!. Unable to take up the offer, the part was eventually filled by Harry Worth. He also enjoyed roles in comedies such as Citizen Smith, Born And Bred, Last Of The Summer Wine and Till Death Us Do Part, and starred in the film version of Porridge as a coach driver with whom Ronnie Barker was to switch places.
Kaye's real forename was Gordon. He attributed his stage name to a typing error by performers' union Equity. He once said of his name: "Before I could write back and tell them [of the mistake] I was taken into hospital with a kidney stone. When I regained consciousness there on the head of the bed was 'Gorden Kaye'."
Kaye also featured in the early-2000s BBC Scotland sketch show Revolver, which teamed older comedy performing talent such as himself, Leslie Phillips and John Inman with newer writers. Two series were broadcast between 2001 and 2004.
Gorden Kaye spoke about his childhood years in Yorkshire, his love of comedy and natural talent for it, and the loyalty of his audience through good and bad times, in a 1991 edition of Desert Island Discs. Listen
In 1989 he published his autobiography René & Me in which he talked about "how a shy working-class Yorkshire boy fought his way up to become the extrovert René". Its publication was in part to address head-on tabloid stories that he had been caught having a homosexual affair.
The subject of an episode of This Is Your Life in 1986, where he was surprised on stage during the West End run of the 'Allo 'Allo! stage play, Kaye returned to the role of René Artois in 2007 for television special The Return Of 'Allo 'Allo!, plus a revived stage production in Australia, where he co-starred by original series colleagues Sue Hodge and Guy Siner.
Shane Allen from BBC Comedy says: "Gorden Kaye was a terrific comic actor whose signature role, Rene Artois, earned his place in the comedy hall of fame. He was instrumental in making 'Allo 'Allo! such a long running and well-loved series. His work lives on and thoughts are with friends and loved ones at this sad time."
Vicki Michelle, who played Yvette in 'Allo 'Allo!, posted the following tribute on Twitter this afternoon, saying "There'll never be another Rene."
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Su Pollard, who acted alongside Kaye in Radio 4's For Better Or For Worse, told the BBC today the actor was "very clever, witty and amusing", adding "He was quite private, but he was very amiable and was more than happy to chat to his fans. He was very pleased he was able to turn his passion into his working life."
Wednesday 25th update: Kaye's family have revealed he had a two year battle with dementia before he died. Story
Here is a clip of Kaye in action as Rene:
And here is the star appearing on the chat show Wogan in 1985 to promote the sitcom:
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