Alf Garnett actor was 89

Warren Mitchell, who played Alf Garnett in Till Death Us Do Part, has died at the age of 89.

A statement said the star died in the early hours of today surrounded by his family, adding: 'He has been in poor health for some time, but was cracking jokes to the last.'

He played Alf Garnett in more than 50 from 1966 until the programme ended in 1975, with more than 50 episodes, then returned In Sickness and in Health.

The character caused controversy for his racist, homophobic, chauvinistic bigot, but Mitchell himself was a fierce socialist.

His comedy career started in the 1950s radio show Educating Archie, and he got his TV break in 1955 in a number of episodes of Hancock's Half Hour. Other credits included Charlie Drake's TV show Drake's Progress.

In 1965 he got the part of Alf Ramsey in a one-off Comedy Playhouse production of Johnny Speight's Till Death Us Do Part, after Peter Sellers, Leo McKern and Lionel Jeffries had turned it down. The BBC launched a series in 1966 with the leading character's name changed to Alf Garnett.

The taboo-breaking show attracted the attention of TV clean-up campaigner Mary Whitehouse for its swearing and realistic use of ethnic slurs.

Outside of comedy, Mitchell was also acclaimed for his dramatic roles and was a keen lover of the theatre.

Among those paying tribute today were Ricky Gervais, who tweeted: 'Alf Garnett was one of the most influential and important characters and performances in comedy history. RIP Warren Mitchell.

Published: 14 Nov 2015