Dad's Army actor dies

Colin Bean, who played Private Sponge in Dad's Army, has died at the age of 82.

He joined the series in 1968 after being spotted in rep by one of the sitcom’s creators, Jimmy Perry, and went on to appear in 48 episodes, 28 credited as Private Sponge, until the show finished in 1977. He also appeared in the 1971 Dad’s Army film.

Private Sponge was largely a background figure, but was given more lines and plots as the series went on, which revealed his peacetime job was as a sheep farmer.

Bean also made appearances in Are You Being Served?, Hi-de-Hi! and 13 episodes of Michael Bentine Time.

His autobiography, Who Do You Think You Are Kidding!, was published in 1998 and he was a regular at Dad’s Army conventions

He spent his last years in a care home and died at in Wigan Infirmary on Saturday.

Published: 23 Jun 2009