Biography

One of Britain's great variety comedians Arthur English was known as 'The Prince of the Wide Boys', a cockney 'spiv' character outrageously dressed on stage and wearing a huge kipper tie.

Born in Aldershot, Hants English started his career at an early age appearing in amateur shows but did not become a professional performer until he was 30. He served in the Army during World War Two and after being demobbed worked as a painter and decorator.

In 1949 he auditioned at the famous Windmill Theatre in London and he was put under contract for several seasons as a principal comic. His catchphrases became legendary: "They're laughin' at me Mum", "Sharpen up there, the quick stuff's coming" and his famous exit line "Play the music - open the cage!".

On radio he starred in BBC's Variety Bandbox alongside comics such as Reg Dixon and Mrs Shufflewick (Rex Jameson) and he also appeared in numerous summer shows, pantomimes and clubs throughout the UK.

English turned to straight acting in the early 1970s both on stage, screen and on television. He starred in a variety of comic cockney parts on television in the Comedy Playhouse series and Hugh and I (1962). In 1987 he joined fellow veterans Irene Handl and Charlie Chester in Never Say Die (1987), a comedy series set in an old people's home. His greatest success on tv was as the janitor Mr Harman in the cult series Are You Being Served? (1972).

- IMDb Mini Biography By: Patrick Newley.

With his catch phrase of 'Play the music, Open the cage' which just came out one night and got such a laugh that decided to stick with it and he became the resident comedian on the radio show 'Variety Bandbox'. Later due to television series such as 'Are You Being Served' and 'In Sickness and in Health he became known as an actor which gave him a complete new way of life.

- IMDb Mini Biography By: Tonyman 5

At 30 he was a £6 a week house painter in Aldershot when he auditioned successfully for the Windmill Theatre in London. He did an act as a Cockney spiv with a cocky strut on stage, and wide padded shoulders that threatened to over balance him, thin moustache, side boards, hat, and enormous grotesque wide flash ties that his first wife ran up from upholstery remnants completed by his fast delivery. Gradually over the years his act became straighter and he did a number of Summer seasons as chairman in Old Tyme Music Hall in the late 60's, In 71 he was Slugger in television's Follyfoot which started him on acting earning him parts in Doctor in the House, Dixon of Dock Green and Mr Harmer in Are You Being Served. His first wife died after 34 years of marriage. He met his 2nd wife when in pantomime in 1976, He has a daughter, Claire Louise.

- IMDb Mini Biography By: Tonyman 5