Legendary British actor Brian Murphy, known for Man About the House and George and Mildred, dies at 92

Brian Murphy, the actor widely recognized for his roles in the classic British sitcoms Man About the House and its spin-off George and Mildred, has passed away at the age of 92.

Murphy died at his home in Kent on Sunday, February 2. His friend and agent, Thomas Bowington, fondly remembered him as a "joyful and deeply good-hearted man."

In recent years, Murphy appeared in various TV shows, including episodes of the BBC medical drama Holby City, the sketch comedy The Catherine Tate Show, and the ITV sitcom Benidorm. He also portrayed Alvin Smedley on the long-running comedy Last of the Summer Wine from 2003 to 2010.

Born on the Isle of Wight in 1932, Murphy's acting career began in the 1950s when he joined the Theatre Workshop, a pioneering theater group. He worked alongside Joan Littlewood, who co-founded the company with her partner Gerry Raffles, both of whom aimed to modernize theater and connect with working-class audiences.

Murphy starred in several Shakespeare productions directed by Littlewood and appeared in her 1963 comedy film Sparrows Can’t Sing.

He became a household name playing the character of George Roper, the landlord, in the 1973 ITV sitcom Man About the House. The show focused on the comedic dynamics between two women sharing an apartment with a man.

Murphy starred alongside Paula Wilcox and Sally Thomsett, who played the flatmates Chrissy and Jo, while Yootha Joyce played his wife Mildred.

The plot revolved around Chrissy and Jo, who discover Robin (played by Richard O’Sullivan) asleep in their bathtub after a wild night out. Robin, in need of accommodation, is invited to move in with them, as they also need a flatmate who can cook.

Despite Robin's belief that he has a chance with both women, his efforts are thwarted by the landlord (Murphy) and his wife Mildred, who live downstairs.

After Man About the House concluded in 1976, a spin-off series, George and Mildred, was created to follow the married couple's quirky landlord-and-landlady relationship. The show was a hit with fans, and Murphy also appeared in films based on both the original series and the spin-off.

Murphy is survived by his wife, Hi-de-Hi! actress Linda Regan, and their two children.

Regan shared an emotional tribute, saying: "I was fortunate to have found my soulmate in this lifetime. Brian, I will love you forever."