Veteran comedy actor Frank Thornton dies at 92

It has been announced that Frank Thornton, the much-loved comedy star of Are You Being Served? and Last Of The Summer Wine died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday at the age of 92.

Thornton will be most fondly remembered for playing Captain Peacock in Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft's 1970s and 80s BBC sitcom, Are You Being Served?

In later years he starred as Truly alongside Bill Owen and Peter Sallis in another classic, long running British sitcom Last Of The Summer Wine.

His long career included appearances in TV shows alongside Benny Hill, Frankie Howerd and Spike Milligan and in films such as Carry On Screaming! and Gosford Park.

He was nominated for an Olivier Award for his stage performance as Sir John Treymane in the hit musical Me And My Girl and reprised his role as Captain Peacock in the spin-off series Grace & Favour.

His agent, David Daly, announced his death and paid tribute to the actor who is survived by his wife of 67 years, Beryl, daughter Jane and three grandchildren.