Philip Logan
Actor Gorden Kaye, best known for his role in the long-running BBC sitcom ‘Allo ‘Allo!, has died aged 75.
Confirming the news to BBC News, the stars former agent said Kaye had passed away at a care home.
Gorden played the role of French cafe owner Rene Artois on the show, which centred around the fictional exploits of resistance fighters in World War Two in German-occupied France.
‘Allo, ‘Allo ran from 1982 to 1992, airing 85 episodes, in all of which Kaye starred.
Celebrities have begun to pay tribute to the actor.
Gorden’s ‘Allo ‘Allo co-star Vicki Michelle, described him as a “brilliantly talented actor, consummate professional, loved the world over”.
So sad to hear news of Gorden Kaye A brilliantly talented actor consummate professional, loved the world over There'll never be another Rene pic.twitter.com/EVcsxwtxSp
— Vicki Michelle (@vickimichelle) January 23, 2017
Actress Su Pollard, who appeared with Kaye in the BBC Radio 4 comedy For Better or For Worse, told the BBC the actor was “very clever, witty and amusing”.
“He was quite private, but he was very amiable and was more than happy to chat to his fans.”
Born in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire in 1941, Gorden revealed in his autobiography the unusual spelling of his first name was due to a spelling error by the acting union Equity.
“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’.”
The actor got his first big break in ITV soap Coronation Street, playing Elsie Tanner’s nephew Bernard Butler, back in 1969.
From there he went on to star in a number of different television shows and films including It Ain’t Half Hot Man, Come Back Mrs Noah, the Porridge film and Are You Being Served?.
Head over to Twitter @CelebMix to share your memories of Gorden Kaye.
